India will remain Afghanistan's 1st strategic partner: Sushma Swaraj

KABUL: Committing to rebuilding of Afghanistan, India today said it will always remain the war-torn nation's first strategic partner.

Speaking at a function here where Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai was presented the nation's largest flagpole, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also expressed hope that the war-torn country would come out strong and would visualise its dream of an independent, unified and prosperous nation soon.

"India will always be Afghanistan's first strategic partner. We have committed to assist Afghanistan in whatever manner is possible within our limits," she said.

Swaraj said though Afghanistan has many challenges she is confident that these challenges will be overcome. "The vision of a strong, independent, unified and prosperous Afghanistan will be realised soon," she said.

The minister also pledged USD 1 million to the Afghan government for development of Wazir Akbar Khan Hill area where a 60x90 ft flag on top of a 207-ft flagpole was hoisted.

"I would like to take this opportunity to announce India's contribution of USD 1 million for your plan to develop this national flag monument site into a public area where people from all over Afghanistan can come and visit the place whenever they visit their capital city of Kabul," she said.

"We share your vision that this place should be for recreation and tourism and also for pay homage to the heroes who have laid down their lives for their country," Swaraj said.

The flag was gifted to Afghanistan by Flag Foundation, a charitable organization promoted by industrialist Naveen Jindal and his wife Shallu Jindal. Its cost is Rs 2 crore. Jindal and his wife were also there for the flag hoisting ceremony.