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Indian PM reiterates commitment to build peaceful Afghanistan

Xinhua, February 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reiterated India's commitment to build a peaceful Afghanistan.

"The prime minister expressed deep gratitude toward the government and the national security forces of Afghanistan for their bravery and sacrifice in order to protect the Indians, especially during the attack on the Indian consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif on Jan. 4-5, 2016," the Indian External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

Modi made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Afghanistan's Chief Executive Officer and Head of the Council of Ministers Abdullah Abdullah.

"The prime minister reiterated India's commitment to extend all possible support to the efforts of the Afghan people in building a peaceful, stable, prosperous, inclusive and democratic country," the statement added.

Abdullah praised Modi for his maiden and successful visit to Kabul in December last year, during which he inaugurated the new Afghan parliament building constructed with India's aid, saying the visit re-energized the strategic partnership between the two countries.

"He deeply appreciated the support being extended by India for infrastructure development and capacity building in Afghanistan," the statement said.

The two leaders also shared views on further deepening the strategic partnership, both in the bilateral and regional context.

The two countries signed an agreement on Monday for visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders of the two countries.

Meanwhile, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj announced India's approval of the third phase of 92 small development projects in Afghanistan, according to External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup.

India's consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan came under attack in the night of Jan. 4 by militants. Afghan security forces killed all the attackers. Endit