New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani joined via video conferencing on Monday from New Delhi to inaugurate the renovated Stor Palace in Kabul.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Prime Minister pitched his voice towards good relations with Afghanistan. “In our hearts and minds, Indians and Afghans have always been close friends,” he said.
“Today we once again come together to celebrate yet another achievement of our friendship,” the PM said, describing the joint inauguration as another achievement in friendship between the two countries.
He also described the Stor Palace as a reminder of Afghanistan’s traditions. “To those who can’t see beyond shadows of violence in Afghanistan, restored Stor Palace is a reminder of the glory of Afghanistan’s traditions,” he said.
Modi also took the opportunity to highlight the transit corridor deal, the Chabahar Port deal, between the two nations along with Iran, that was signed earlier in 2016. He said, “India, Afghanistan and Iran transit corridor that we signed this year is other landmark in our partnership.”
The PM went on to talk about Salma Dam, saying that it will build a strong pillar of support for Afghanistan’s overall growth. He said, “Salma Dam will renew not just economy and agriculture of Afghan’s Herat, but will build strong pillar of support for Afghan’s overall growth.”
Showing support to Afghanistan’s fight against terrorism, PM Modi said, “Let me assure people of Afghanistan that in your quest to build a prosperous nation and bring peace, security and stablity, 1.25 billion people of India will always be on your side.”
Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani expressed his gratitude towards India and said, “I express my most sincere appreciation for Government of India and its people.”
Ghani said that he was sparing no effort in protecting peace and overcoming terror. “We are ready to spare no effort in protecting peace, overcome terror and extremism and work for prosperity of our nations,” he said.
He also said that both the countries have had good historical relations. “We, Afghanistan and India, have decide to use our history for the advancement of our nation.”