India will continue full support to Afghanistan: PM Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: India will continue its full support to the new government of Afghanistan in its effort to build a strong, peaceful, inclusive, prosperous and democratic country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today.

Modi stated this while receiving former Afghan President Hamid Karzai whom he lauded for making immense contribution to the strengthening of India-Afghanistan relations.

The Prime Minister once again congratulated Karzai for his leadership and sagacity in ensuring a historic and peaceful political transition and formation of a national unity government in Afghanistan, a PMO statement said.

Karzai briefed Modi on the developments in Afghanistan following the formation of the new government.

The former President said the friendship between India and Afghanistan was time-tested.

India's contribution to the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan was deeply appreciated in Afghanistan, Karzai said, adding in particular, the support for human resources development in Afghanistan was invaluable.

Modi said he was looking forward to meeting President Ashraf Ghani in Kathmandu on the margins of the SAARC Summit next week.