India will expand ties with Afghanistan, says PM

Unfazed by terror attacks on its missions, India will extend cooperation in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Saturday, after dedicating a Rs 1,700-crore dam in Herat province.

Modi said other countries may have a “sunset clause” but India’s ties with Afghanistan remain “timeless”.

“Our resources may be modest, but our will is boundless. We face barriers of geography and politics, but we define our path from the clarity of our purpose,” he said in an address after inaugurating the Afghan-India Friendship Dam along with President Ashraf Ghani.

The dam, earlier known as Salma Dam, has been built by India at a cost of Rs 1,700 crore on river Harirud in Chist-e- Sharif in western Herat neighbouring Iran.

It will irrigate 75,000 hectares of land and generate 42 MW of power.

“When our people are under attack, the brave Afghans guard us as their own. This is the nobility of your heart and the strength of your friendship. I have seen this from the moment I assumed office as Prime Minister. “For on that day, when terrorists launched a massive attack on our consulate in this city of Herat, the heroic efforts of Afghan soldiers, and of our personnel, saved many lives and prevented a big tragedy,” he said, referring to the 2014 attack on the Indian mission here. “We want to see your art, culture and poetry thrive. And, we want to see your cricketers join the ranks of test players and also seek glory in IPL,” he said.

Without naming any country, Modi said India drew strength and confidence from Afghanistan’s deep commitment to “protect” the partnership from the “designs” of others.

Talking about the dam, Modi said the fields that produce the finest fruits and saffron shall once again “come alive” with the clear waters of the river.

In his address, the Prime Minister invoked the Holy Quran to say that “river is central to the image of Paradise” and cited India’s ancient scriptures in which “rivers defined our nation and were celebrated as the giver of life”.

Striking an emotional chord, Modi referred to Herat’s great Sufi Poet Hakim Jami, to say whatever happens, in a bright or a dark moment, “we will always experience, the freshness and happiness of the gentle breeze of friendship.”

He also wished the people of Afghanistan and all Muslims across the world for the Holy Month of Ramzan.

Ghani welcomed Modi to his “second home”, Afghanistan.


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“I am used to the noise of democracy,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi quipped on Saturday, in an apparent reference to the Opposition attacks on him back home, reports PTI from Tehran. Modi made the remarks when Afghan National Security Adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar suggested to him to wear earmuffs after he boarded a helicopter.

Amir Amanullah Khan Award
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