Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke to former Afghan President Hamid Karzai and appreciated his effort to strengthen bilateral relations. While saying Karzai will always remain a ‘special friend’ for India, which was like a second home to him, PM noted that under President Karzai, Afghanistan had achieved huge progress in its quest to build a strong, peaceful, inclusive, prosperous and democratic Afghanistan.
PM recalled Karzai’s contribution to the strengthening of India-Afghanistan relations and said that both the countries had new Governments in place and both to Karzai as a mentor for guidance in furtherance of bilateral relations.
“The way President Karzai had successfully steered Afghanistan on the path of peace, prosperity and stability during a very difficult period, would never be forgotten,” Modi said. He also congratulated Karzai for his leadership in ensuring a historic and peaceful political transition and formation of a National Unity Government in Afghanistan. PM said this would not have been possible without Karzai’s wisdom, courage and foresight.
Karzai said that he deeply cherishes his long association with India. No other country in the world had done as much for Afghanistan as India had despite constraints of resources.