President Mukherjee extends wishes on Afghan Independence Day

India will stand by the people and government of Afghanistan in their efforts to build a strong, united, democratic and prosperous country, President Pranab Mukherjee today said.
In his message to Afghanistan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on the eve of Independence Day of that country, Mukherjee said "On behalf of the government and the people of India and on my own behalf, it is with great pleasure that I extend warm greetings and felicitations to Your Excellency and to the people of Afghanistan on the occasion of your Independence Day".
"Our traditional ties of friendship and cooperation have gained strength and substance in recent years. I am confident that our close relationship will continue to contribute to peace, stability and progress in Afghanistan and in our neighbourhood. India will stand by the people and government of Afghanistan in their efforts to build a strong, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan," he said.