Karzai Woos India Inc. as Delay on U.S. Pact Deters Billions --- Abhay Barhate listened with skepticism as Afghan President Hamid Karzai told Indian investors of the riches that await if they pour money into his country, one of the poorest in Asia. -- “Malvinder Singh will profit the second he lands in Kabul,” Karzai said, adding that Afghanistan posed “no risk” to investors. “All those who have come to Afghanistan are millionaires or multimillionaires.” -- As Karzai explains his reluctance to sign a security pact with the U.S. to political and business leaders in the region, investors are voicing concerns. The agreement would assuage businesses seeking to tap mineral resources estimated at $3 trillion and ensure that the country’s 31 million people, who live on an average of less than $2 per day, receive billions of dollars in aid money over the next decade -- During a question-and-answer session, the crowd gasped when Karzai corrected Ajay Sambrani, managing director of Sandvik Asia Pvt., when he mentioned Afghanistan’s $3 trillion in mineral wealth. -- “Actually it’s $30 trillion,” Karzai said. “The U.S. knocked a zero off to keep our assets a secret.” - More, Kartikay Mehrotra, Bloomberg - at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-15/karzai-tells-investors-u-s-will-meet-his-security-pact-demands.html