Meeting of minds: Defence Minister with her U.S. counterpart

                                   All help, but no troops to Afghanistan

            Meeting of minds: Defence Minister Sitharaman with her U.S.                                                                 counterpart James Martis at New Delhi.

India on Tuesday clear out deploying troops in Afghanistan even as it pledged to expand development and medical assistance for the strife-torn nation.

We have made it very clear that there shall not be boots from India on the ground. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in response to questions on the issue. at a press conference, she addressed along with her U.S. counterpart James Martis. 

The U.S. Defence Secretary is in New Delhi for the first visit Cabinet-level visit from the Trump administration. for Ms. Sitharaman engagement with a counterpart since of took charge of south block.

"Indian contribution to Afghanistan has been for a very long time and has been consistently on development issues Medical assistance is also provided by India... So India's contribution has been on these grounds, and we shall expand if necessary," Ms. Sitharaman added.

The Defence Minister's statement puts to rest speculation about India deploying troops in Afghanistan after U.S. President Donald Trump called for greater Indian involvement. Indi has already extended $3 billion aid to Afghanistan, provides security assistance in the form of training and also supplied some utility and attack helicopters. 

Kabul has repeatedly sought lethal weapons and ammunition from India.