Hinting at Pakistan as the external factor destabilising Afghanistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday assured President Ashraf Ghani that despite such challenges before it, Indians will always work to help the country towards peace and prosperity. Modi inaugurated the renovated Stor Palace in Kabul with Ghani through video conferencing. After Afghan Parliament and Salma Dam this is the third project by India that has come to conclusion.
“Afghanistan is a close friend. Our societies and people have had age old ties and links. It, therefore, saddens us to see that your proud nation continues to be challenged by externally sponsored instruments and entities of violence and terror. let me assure the people of Afghanistan that in your quest to build a prosperous Afghanistan and to bring peace, security and stability to your society, the 1.25 billion people of India will always be on your side,” Modi said while speaking from his South Block office.
Responding to Modi’s statement, Ghani said the logic of peace and benevolence will defeat the logic of terror and violence while adding India and Afghanistan have always been close friends and joint initiatives like these are a fruitful journey of cooperation between the two nations.
“The pledge of our partnership and strength of our friendship with Afghanistan is unwavering. Today’s event is a testimony to the resolve and range of our cooperative endeavours. We want each Afghan to flourish and your society to be benefited from fruits of economic growth,” Modi said. He also thanked the Afghan Government for protecting Indian Embassy and Consulates and ensuring the safety and security of Indian experts working in Afghanistan. "The sacrifices made by our Afghan brothers will not be forgotten," Modi stressed while adding that whatever may be the odds, India will work with Afghanistan for a bright future for all Afghans.
Calling Afghanistan a close friend PM said the societies and people of the two nations have had age-old ties and links. "It, therefore, saddens us to see that your proud nation continues to be challenged by externally sponsored instruments and entities of violence and terror," PM said. He added the Stor palace "brings back to life a valuable landmark of Afghanistan's cultural heritage."
Ghani recalled that the Government of India in Exile formed by Raja Mahendra Pratap had declared independence from the British rule in 1915 from this palace. The Stor Palace (also known as the Star Palace or Kasre-estar), located within the premises of the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is one of the important historic palaces in Kabul. The renovated building will provide high-quality space for hosting official domestic and international events by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Government of Afghanistan. It would also give great publicity to India's reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.