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The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, arrived here today, after a two-day visit to Afghanistan.
The following is the text of the Prime Minister’s arrival statement:
“I had a very productive visit to the friendly country of Afghanistan. Afghanistan is engaged in a gigantic process of reconstruction and development. It is emerging from the shadow and after effects of destruction, war for nearly twenty years. It has been India’s privilege to be a partner in the processes of economic reconstruction and development. We are not a traditionally donor country, but we have committed already $500 million for reconstruction and development effort of Afghanistan and yesterday, I announced another $50 million for the construction and development of Afghanistan and I was very pleased to note that our assistance, which has reached out to almost all parts of Afghanistan covers some of the key areas crucial for development like infrastructure, roads, transport, electricity, civil aviation, social infrastructure, education and health, agriculture and irrigation. This assistance is greatly appreciated by the Government and people of Afghanistan.
We have identified further areas in the sphere of health, agriculture where we could work together to accelerate the tempo of social and economic development of Afghanistan. So, I come back reinforced in my conviction that India and Afghanistan are partners in development. During my visit, I took part in the ceremony, where Baba-e-Millat, former King - Zahir Shah, laid the foundation stone of the building for Parliament of Afghanistan. This building is going to be constructed by CPWD out of the grant that the Government of India is making.
Next month, Afghanistan is going to have elections to its Parliament. So, my visit coincided with a major historical juncture in Afghanistan’s history, when Afghanistan is to emerge as a democratic polity, with commitment to individual rights, rule of law, an open society and open polity.
It is a privilege for India to be a partner in the path that Afghanistan has chosen. So I come back with a great sense of satisfaction that our two countries are working hand-in-hand to accelerate the tempo of social and economic development and to strengthen the democratic foundations of the polity of Afghanistan.”
YSR/DS/HK/CS
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