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| Indian President, Pranab Mukherjee and the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, at the ceremonial reception, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi |
New Delhi: Indian President Pranab Mukherjee said that India stands
beside the Afghan people to strengthen their hands in bringing peace and
prosperity to their country.
Speaking at the banquet hosted in the honour of Afghan President
Hamid Karzai yesterday, Mukherjee said common values of both countries and
search for peace have brought India and Afghanistan together in a strategic
partnership to face the common challenges. Past, present and future of these
two countries bind them together.
The President
expressed hope that India’s and Afghanistan’s shared conviction and faith in
peace and progress would help them defeat terrorism and uncertainty.
A news release issued by the President Secretariat read, “Both countries agree on the need for greater international cooperation against terrorism, especially cross border terrorism emanating from the terrorist sanctuaries. India's
other development initiatives in Afghanistan are aimed at assisting the Afghan
Government in increasing the capacity of the Afghan government and people to
stand on their own feet and to be the makers of their own destiny. India will
continue to partner Afghanistan in its reconstruction and development, based on
the needs and requirements of Afghanistan Government and its people. India is
ready to join hands with other countries in making Afghanistan a focal point of
cooperation in development. “
Mukherjee asserted that Afghanistan could indeed emerge as a hub of regional cooperation
binding us in common endeavors.
“India would always be there to assist the friendly people
of Afghanistan and to further strengthen and deepen strategic relationship,” he
concluded.