India for stable and prosperous Afghanistan: PM

 India was for a "stable, strong and prosperous" Afghanistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Monday, adding that the two countries had decided to intensify cooperation, especially in the sectors of agriculture, small business and mining.

"President Karzai is no stranger, he has long been a close friend," Manmohan Singh said at a joint press conference with visiting Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai here.

He said India has provided a $2 billion aid programme to Afghanistan for expanded capacity-building and the MoUs signed Monday would launch the third phase of the small developmental projects (SDPs) to address the socio-economic needs of the people of Afghanistan.

He said the two leaders also discussed the security and political situation in the region.
Karzai arrived in the Indian capital Sunday evening on the second leg of his India visit, which began Nov 9 in Mumbai.