The Afghanistan Visit
Highlights of PM Modi’s visit to Afghanistan
Highlights of PM Modi’s visit to Afghanistan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to Kabul on December 25, 2015. It was the Prime Minister’s first visit to Afghanistan.
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi and Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani jointly inaugurated and dedicated the National Assembly building, to the Afghan people. An enduring symbol of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, National Assembly building, was constructed under India-Afghanistan Development Cooperation.
Prime Minister Modi profusely thanked the Government and the people of Afghanistan for the honour accorded to India by naming a block of National Assembly Building after Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India. He also assured the Government of Afghanistan, of Indian assistance for a new Administrative Block of the National Assembly.
Addressing the members of Meshrano Jirga and Wolesi Jirga, Prime Minister Modi complimented the people of Afghanistan and their elected representatives on consolidation of democracy in the country and appreciated the contributions of former President Karzai, the National Unity Government of President Ghani and Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah.
The two leaders recalled their earlier three meetings in 2015 and expressed satisfaction at the implementation of the decisions to further develop all-round bilateral cooperation. President Ghani noted that India-Afghanistan partnership was helping the transformation of Afghanistan by enabling empowerment of its society, reconstruction and development of Afghan economy and strengthening of its polity.
They discussed key aspects of utilisation of India's pledged assistance of over USD 2 billion for development in Afghanistan and welcomed the part played by over 100 completed and ongoing Small Development Projects (SDP) in creating community infrastructure at the local level. Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's full support to Afghanistan for strengthening its defensive capabilities for preserving Afghanistan's unity and territorial integrity and ensuring security. The two leaders noted that the Mi-25 helicopters provided by the Indian Government to Afghanistan and their maintenance facility would address an important requirement. They agreed to increase and expand training opportunities for Afghan National Security and Defence Forces in relevant Indian institutions, based on the requirements of Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Modi assured President Ghani that India would continue to be guided by the priorities and requirements of the Government of Afghanistan and conveyed India's strong support for a united, democratic, sovereign, secure and prosperous Afghanistan.
The book will take you through the highlights of the visit.
"This Parliament Complex is a small tribute to your progress as a nation and a democracy. And, it will stand as an enduring symbol of the ties of emotions and values, of affection and aspirations that bind us in a special relationship."
–Prime Minister Narendra Modi
"Today, I am humbled and honoured to join President Ghani and all the Members of the Afghan Parliament to dedicate this new abode of democracy to the Afghan nation"
–Prime Minister Narendra Modi
"We could not have chosen a more special day than the birthday of one of the tallest leaders of our time, former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji. Eleven years ago, he dreamt of this project in partnership with Karzai Saheb. "
–Prime Minister Narendra Modi
"The Atal Block unites us in spirit, because Atal means hero in Pashto and in Hindi it means to be firm. It captures the spirit of Afghanistan and of our friendship.......we are deeply touched that you have chosen to name one of the wings in this building the Atal Block. "
–Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) troops deployed to secure the Indian High Commission in Kabul in Afghanistan.
"To Indian diplomats, officers, engineers and doctors, who serve here with pride, to the families of our Indian martyrs, I express the gratitude of Indians and Afghans."
–Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Pleased to welcome PM Modi to Kabul. Though, India & AFG need no introduction, bt v're bound by a thousand ties. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/yrcCWbquOM
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) December 25, 20152/3 India and Afghanistan enjoy a friendship that dates back to antiquity. We have stood by each other in the best and worst of times.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) December 25, 20153/3 Currently, as Afghanistan goes through some hard times in it's history, we remain ever thankful to all the valuable assistance of India.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) December 25, 2015Honorable @narendramodi: Welcome.Thank you for the monumental gifts to Afghanistan.
India's friendship heartens Afghans.@SenseandC_sense
— M UMER Daudzai (@Umerdaudzai2) December 25, 2015We strongly welcome the generous announcement of 500 education scholarships by HE Prime Min Modi for the children of ANSF Martyrs
— Sediq Sediqqi (@moispokesman) December 25, 2015@narendramodi WELCOME TO AFGHANISTAN dear sir we respect you
— Elias Pakten (@AlyasNoor) December 25, 2015Bahut dhanyavaad India 4 giving us a new house of democracy. Its a testimony to our unyielding friendship. pic.twitter.com/N5vmBJlppL
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) December 25, 2015I thanked PM @narendramodi 4 his most heartfelt speech @ the new Afghan Parliament built with generous help of India pic.twitter.com/NNwUSIj52C
— Hamid Karzai (@KarzaiH) December 25, 2015Delighted 2 meet PM @narendramodi & thank him 4 India's steadfast friendship & extraordinary support 2 Afghan people pic.twitter.com/T64K1rNShR
— Hamid Karzai (@KarzaiH) December 25, 2015"Today, India takes a big step for security of Afghanistan" Pres.@AshrafGhani @ Inauguration of #NewParliamentBuilding #ModiInKabul (1/3)
— ارګ (@ARG_AFG) December 25, 2015(2/2) Three Mi-25 helicopters will be delivered as part of government-to-government assistance to Afghanistan today. #ModiInKabul
— ارګ (@ARG_AFG) December 25, 2015(3/3) "I especially thank you for 500 scholarships for the children of martyred ANSDF soldiers." #ModiInKabul pic.twitter.com/5kbUXpJKgR
— ارګ (@ARG_AFG) December 25, 2015A special day in the history of Afghanistan and India. https://t.co/sjS2l1ImXz
— Adela Raz (@AdelaRaz) December 25, 2015#Afghanistan interior ministry welcome @narendramodi's 500 scholarships for fallen Afghan soldiers' children. #ModiinKabul
— Bashir Ahmad Gwakh (@bashirgwakh) December 25, 2015India is winning Afghans hearts with Mr. Modi's emotional speech in which u find honesty and true friendship. #ModiInKabul #IndiaEmbinKabul
— Freshta Karim (@FreshtaKarim) December 25, 2015PM Modi was so great to begin his speech with Romi's poem and to continue with a poem with founder of Modern Afghanistan Ahmad Shah Durani.
— Daud Junbish (@DaudJunbish) December 25, 2015Today In the air Afghans feel love, friendship N partnership. Wlcm to Afg @Narendramodi_PM @SenseandC_sense pic.twitter.com/V8NsIKJ3dq
— Zakia Wardak (@ZakiaWardak) December 25, 2015
