Terming his two-day visit to Kabul as "productive", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said India was working hand-in-hand to accelerate the reconstruction tempo of the war-ravaged country and the two sides have identified new areas of co-operation. | |
| "It has been India's privilege to be a partner in the process of economic reconstruction and development," he told reporters on his arrival here at the end of the two-day visit to Afghanistan. |
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| Noting that Afghanistan was emerging from the shadow and after-effects of destruction and war for nearly two decades, Singh said New Delhi's assistance had reached every part of the country covering key areas crucial for development. |
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| "I have come back with great sense of satisfaction that our two countries are working hand-in-hand to accelerate the tempo of social and economic development and strengthen the democratic foundation of the polity of Afghanistan," he said. |
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| He said though India was not a traditional donor country, it had already committed $500 million for Afghanistan's development and yesterday he had announced another $50 million. |
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| "This has been greatly appreciated by the government and the people of Afghanistan,' he said. |
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| Talking about laying the foundation for a new Parliament building being built by India, he said his visit coincided with the elections to that country next month. |
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| Afghanistan was emerging as a democratic foreign polity with commitment to rule of law and open society, Singh said. |
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