Indian Cabinet Approves Special Scholarship For Afghan Nationals

New Delhi, Jan 19, IRNA – India’s Union Cabinet Thursday approved of Rs. 492.55 crore for the enhancement of scholarships to Afghan students from the existing 675 during the period 2012-13 to 2020-21. Scholarships to Afghan students in various universities in India would significantly contribute to the human resource development of Afghanistan and provide scholars, the necessary skills to contribute towards the development of the country, said an official statement issued here Thursday. The scholarship scheme would be implemented by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) till 2020-21. The enhancement of scholarships was announced during the State Visit of the Prime Minister to Afghanistan, in May 2011. The ICCR has been entrusted with the task of administering the Afghan Scholarships Scheme. The expenditure would be met from the Non-Plan budget of the Ministry of External Affairs under the Head `Aid to Afghanistan’./end