Karzai asks India Inc to tap Afghanistan’s business potential

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has called upon India Inc to invest in mineral-rich Afghanistan and not to shy away from the war-ravaged country.

Pointing to Chinese investments in the country, he said, the Chinese who invested early in the war-ravaged country are now reaping the gains.

"What I'd like to emphasise in particular is that Indian businesses need not be shy when thinking about Afghanistan. The Chinese businesses were there long before you came, five or six years before."

"Indian businesses need not be shy when thinking of Afghanistan. Chinese businesses were there long before you came, five or six years ago. And they have now taken two or three major contracts," he said, addressing the captains of the industry here.

Addressing business leaders in Mumbai, the Afghan President said his country is "ripe and ready" for Indian investments in mining and other sectors.

"We'd like to welcome you with a red carpet, but you need to arrive at the red carpet," he told delegates at an industry event in the financial capital.