Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani's visit: Ready to take forward Chabahar port project, says PM Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: Moving to strengthen ties with Afghanistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reaffirmed his commitment to take the Chahbahar Port project in Iran forward.

Modi's comments came as a part of his statement to the media during Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani's visit to India.

"We are ready to welcome Afghan trucks at the ICP Attari. We are also prepared to join the successor agreement to Afghan Pakistan Trade and Transit Agreement. This will re-establish one of the oldest trading routes of South Asia," Modi said. "I also reaffirmed my commitment to take the Chahbahar Port project in Iran forward. We will also quickly conclude a bilateral Motor Vehicles Agreement," he added.

"We will expand our development partnership, which includes infrastructure, agriculture, connectivity, human resource development, community projects and humanitarian assistance. We will explore new trade and investment opportunities," Modi said.

"President Ghani and I discussed the historic efforts to rebuild his nation. We in India admire the courage and resolve of the Afghan people to seek a future of peace and prosperity. They are succeeding against huge challenges," Modi said.

We share Afghanistan's pain over persisting terrorism and extremist violence that destroy lives and derail progress. I thank him for our cooperation against terrorism. We are deeply grateful to the Afghan security forces, who protect our people in Afghanistan as they would their own," he added.

Below is the full text of PM Modi's statement:

His Excellency, President Ashraf Ghani, members of the media,

I am delighted to welcome President Ghani and his delegation to India.

We are meeting in the shadow of the horrible calamity in Nepal. President Ghani and I speak for our two countries, South Asia and the world to the people of Nepal: Your courage and humanity has earned the respect of the world. And, you are not alone at this moment of tragedy and trial.

We will do everything possible with rescue and relief. And, we will certainly be there when you rebuild your lives and reconstruct your homes and heritage.

President Ghani and I discussed the historic efforts to rebuild his nation. We in India admire the courage and resolve of the Afghan people to seek a future of peace and prosperity. They are succeeding against huge challenges.

The relationship between India and Afghanistan is not just between two countries or governments. It is a timeless link of human hearts.

We deeply value the friendship and the goodwill of the Afghan people. Every Indian, in turn, holds the Afghan people in the highest affection and esteem.

This is why we stand with the people of Afghanistan, as they build a united, stable, democratic and prosperous nation.

This comes from the responsibility of our friendship. It also stems from our commitment to regional peace and progress.

Fourteen years ago, we started a new chapter in our relationship, in a new era for Afghanistan, under the leadership of President Karzai. The partnership has blossomed despite barriers of geography and hurdles of politics.

We will continue this journey in partnership with President Ghani and his National Unity Government with Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah.

And, it will not be limited to the period of transition or the decade of transformation. This is an enduring commitment.