Today, I am humbled and honoured to join President (Ashraf) Ghani and all the members of the Afghan Parliament to dedicate this new abode of democracy to the Afghan nation.
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 Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji. Eleven years ago, he dreamt of this project in partnership with (Hamid) Karzai saheb. And, we are touched that you have chosen to name one of the wings in this building the Atal Block. This Parliament House brings together our two nations through the vision of our leaders, the labour of our people and the stones of our lands.
And 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.
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.
Honourable members, our ties are as ancient as history. In the heart of every Indian and Afghan, there is boundless love for each other. We love each other's culture and cinema, music and poetry, food and festivals. And, now we admire each other's cricket. We are delighted that the Afghan National Cricket Team has found its home ground near Delhi and is practising for next year's (T20) World Cup. And, I congratulate the Afghan under-19 team that just beat Zimbabwe in its first home series. We are just as proud that Afghans see India as a natural destination for education, health or a family home.
Indians remember the support of Afghans in our freedom struggle; the contribution of Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, revered as Frontier Gandhi; and, the important footnote of that history, when, exactly a hundred years ago, the first Indian government-in-exile was formed in Kabul by Maharaja Mahendra Pratap and Maulana Barkatullah. King Amanullah once told the Maharaja that so long as India was not free, Afghanistan was not free in the right sense.
Honourable members, this is the spirit of brotherhood between us. And, when you began a new journey in a new century, we were proud to stand with you and walk with you.
Our partnership has helped rural communities get schools, minor irrigation, health centres, welfare for children and opportunities for women.
Together, we built roads that have brought regions closer; power transmission lines and power stations that lit up Afghan homes; satellite links that brought education, medical advice and communication to the Afghan people. And, we are helping the security forces become more mobile. The institutions we are establishing together are helping rebuild agriculture and mining in Afghanistan, and making advanced medical care available in Kabul.
Nothing is more important for a nation than its human resources. So we are pleased that our scholarships and training programmes are empowering the Afghan youth with modern education and professional skills; the Afghan government with the resources to develop their country; and, the Afghan security forces with the capacity to secure their nation. Power and water will flow out of Salma Dam soon. The Stor Palace will again stand as a symbol of your priceless heritage. Our scheme of 1,000 scholarships every year for Afghan students in India will continue. We are pleased with the response to our special scholarship scheme in agriculture science.
Today, I announce 500 scholarships for the children of the martyrs of Afghan security forces. As we have stood with you in our efforts to rebuild your country, you have guarded and protected our people as your own. We have faced daily threats, but we feel secure in your midst. To every Afghan, who has risked or lost his life so that his Indian guest is safe, I convey the eternal gratefulness of India. 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.
There are some who did not want us to be here. There were those who saw sinister designs in our presence here. There are others who were uneasy at the strength of our partnership. Some even tried to discourage us.
But we are here because you have faith in us. You never doubted the sincerity of our commitment and the strength of our friendship. And you have seen the fruits of our partnership. You have judged us by what you see, not by what others tell you, including about the mysterious Indian consulates.
You know that India is here to contribute, not to compete; to lay the foundations of future, not light the flame of conflict; to rebuild lives, not destroy a nation.
You know, as we do, that Indians and Afghans have always stood for each other, never against another.
You have been at the crossroads of history. And your history tells us that you will never let yourself become a theatre of competition; or serve the designs of others. We know that Afghanistan's success will require the cooperation and support of each of its neighbours. And, all of us in the region - India, Pakistan, Iran and others - must unite, in trust and cooperation, behind this common purpose and in recognition of our common destiny.
When Afghanistan becomes a haven of peace and a hub for the flow of ideas, commerce, energy and investments in the region, we will all prosper together.
That is why we are working to improve your connectivity by land and sea, including through Chabahar in Iran.
That is why I hope that Pakistan will become a bridge between South Asia and Afghanistan and beyond.
Edited excerpts from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech to the Afghanistan Parliament, Kabul, December 25, 2015
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