PM Narendra Modi will undertake a visit to Kabul on Friday

NEW DELHI: Modi is expected to have brief visit to Kabul on December 25 on his way back from Russia where he will attend annual bilateral summit.

The highlight of the PM visit is likely to be inauguration of Parliament building whose completion has missed several deadlines over past few years.

The PMO's push is one major reason why work on this much delayed project is now near completion. Modi was keen that the building be ready for him to undertake the visit.

Meanwhile, with fight against terror to dominate his dialogue with the Afghan leadership, Modi will formally hand over an attack helicopter to Kabul that will give much needed firepower to fight Taliban. The issue of spread of IS may also figure in the talks with the Afghan leadership. Counter-terror is a key area of Indo-Afghan cooperation besides development partnership.

India delivered its first major offensive military platform to Kabul, with a Mi 25 attack helicopter reaching Afghanistan earlier this month.The first of the four Russian origin choppers that have been gifted to the neighbouring nation has arrived in Afghanistan, with three more on the way.

The attack helicopters will join the Afghanistan Air Force that already operates three of the Indian built Cheetal light helicopters.

In the past, India has transferred non-lethal equipment, including vehicles, transport choppers, communication equipment and medical supplies to Afghanistan. India is a major training partner with Kabul sending across cadets for various courses as well as basic officers training programs.



The Parliament project, which was initiated by the Congress-led UPA government in 2007 as a mark of friendship and cooperation to rebuild war-torn Afghanistan, is finally nearing completion. Afghanistan Parliament building had to be completed in November 2011 but has missed at least three deadlines over the last four years. The project had been conceived as a Rs 300 crore venture but is likely to cost the exchequer Rs 710 crore.

The Parliament building, which has elements of Mughal and modern architecture, will have Asia’s largest dome as its key feature.

The building has Wolesi Jirga or the Lower House with a seating capacity of 294, a 190-seat Meshrano Jirga or Upper House, Entrance lobby, offices, conference rooms, dining halls, press room, library, auditorium and parking facilities.

The key reason behind the project was Delhi’s willingness to emphasise its position in the region as the main development partner of Afghanistan. When he inaugurates the Parliament building, Modi wants to emphasise India’s role as a major player.