WSJ story from 30 Nov.
India consortium of firms makes winning $14B investment bid on Afghanistan's largest iron-ore deposit, called by experts the crown "jewel" of the country's estimated $1T in minerals.
Supposed to take five years to get mine up and running. Canadian firm got the fifth block, as the Indian crew won the other four.
This award comes just a couple months after New Delhi and Kabul signed a strategic cooperation agreement.
Article makes the usual noises about Pakistan getting unnerved, but I think this is great - and totally natural. China and India making big investments and ultimately owning the security responsibility surrounding those investments.
To date, China's done nothing with the Aynak copper site, it is reported, due to security concerns. Chinese companies now projecting a 2014 start date.
Bet that gets moved up once NATO troops move out sooner.