Modi, Ghani jointly inaugurate renovated Stor Palace

 Taking a subtle jibe at Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that India would stand by Afghanistan, which was being challenged by terror sponsored by entities beyond its border.

“Afghanistan is a close friend. Our societies and people have had age-old ties and links. It, therefore, saddens us to see that your proud nation continues to be challenged by externally sponsored instruments and entities of violence and terror,” said Modi.

The prime minister made the remark, while joining Afghan President Mohammed Ashraf Ghani, inaugurating the renovated Stor Palace in Kabul through video-conferencing. “Let me assure the people of Afghanistan that in your quest to build a prosperous Afghanistan and to bring peace, security and stability to your society, the 1.25 billion people of India will always be on your side,” said Modi.

“The pledge of our partnership and strength of our friendship with Afghanistan is unwavering.”

Kabul has been blaming Islamabad not only for resurgence of Taliban and spiralling violence in Afghanistan, but also for the impasse in the peace process.

The Stor Palace, which is also known as the Star Palace or Kasre-estar, was built during the reign of Amir Abdul Rahman Khan in 1880. India pledged to fund the renovation of the Stor Palace during a visit by the then prime minister Manmohan Singh to Afghanistan in 2011.

The Rawalpindi Agreement, which turned Afghanistan into a sovereign independent nation, was also signed in this palace on August 19, 1919.

“The Stor palace has been the setting for many momentous historical events. To those who cannot see beyond shadows of violence in Afghanistan, the restored Stor palace is a reminder of the glory of Afghanistan’s rich traditions,” said Modi.