Press Release

Date of Release:  - 24 February 2005 

Delhi – H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, met with H.E. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India today 24 February 2005, on the second day of his official visit to India. 

Welcoming the President, Prime Minister Singh said the visit by the President of Afghanistan was a step in further deepening the “time-tested ties between the two countries”.   The Prime Minister congratulated the President on the successful elections in October 2004 and Afghanistan’s other major achievements over the past year.  Emphasising India’s continued commitment to assist Afghanistan’s reconstruction; the Prime Minister pledged more support in the areas of infrastructure, education, health and cultural spheres.  Prime Minister Singh reiterated India’s pledge of US$ 400 million for the reconstruction of Afghanistan, and said that of the US$ 100 million pledged in Tokyo in January 2002, 96 million have already been disbursed.  Specifically, the Prime Minister announced India’s support to the Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul power transmission line.  The transmission line will bring to Kabul the electricity that Afghanistan is importing from Uzbekistan.  The Prime Minister also informed the President that Indian airlines will resume regular flights to Kabul from 27 March 2005. 

The President of Afghanistan said he was pleased to be back in India.  He expressed his, and the people of Afghanistan’s condolences to the Indian people on the losses of life due to the tsunami disaster. 

The President informed the Prime Minister of the developments.  While challenges are still ahead, Afghanistan has made good progress in the economic and political fields.  Stability is now more firmly established, especially, after the success of the presidential elections last October.  The President thanked India, on behalf of the Afghan people, for “their tremendous contribution to the rebuilding of Afghanistan”.  “India has been with us every step of the way over the last three years”, said the President. 

Specific examples of India’s assistance to Afghanistan include the reconstruction of Dilaram-Zaranj highway, the construction of a new building for Afghanistan’s parliament and contribution to health, education and transport sectors.

The President welcomed the recent developments in the improvement of Indo-Pakistan relations, especially the establishment of a bus link between Sri Nagar and Muzafar Abad.  

The President highlighted Afghanistan’s potential role in facilitating regional trade.  The President said:  “We are located at a trade cross-roads in the region, and will play our part in enabling transit and commerce.  We are open to, and welcome, investment from private sector in our infrastructure, our natural resources and the service industry.  Indian companies will be more comfortable in Afghanistan, because of the deep cultural connections between our people.”

The President specifically requested India’s consideration of joining the Turkmenstan-Afghanistan-Pakistan oil and gas pipeline.  This project has great economic value for the region, and for Afghanistan and – because its extension from Pakistan to India will strong economic sense, India’s participation in the Project will help the project’s implementation.  Prime Minister Singh expressed hope that the construction of the pipeline project will lead to strengthened stability and more prosperity in the region.  He added that India will look at options in this area.

And finally, President Karzai invited Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to visit Afghanistan. 

The President also thanked the Prime Minister and the Indian people for extending warm hospitality during his visit.

Released by the Office of the Spokesman to the President