India and Afghanistan won't pursue mining, steel project

India and Afghanistan have called off all talks on a proposed $11-billion iron-ore mining and steel mill project by a consortium of Indian metal companies. According to a senior government official, the Indian government, which had been supporting the Indian consortium through bilateral talks with the Afghan government, had decided that it would be futile to hold any further negotiations to advance the project in view of spread of Taliban control close to the proposed iron-ore reserves and steel mill site at Hajigak.