By Devirupa Mitra, IANS,
Kabul : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who arrived here Thursday on a two-day visit, one of the first world leaders to be in Kabul after the killing of Osama bin Laden, said India will stand by Afghanistan “through thick and thin”.
Manmohan Singh is visiting Afghanistan after a gap of six years. Karzai has already come to India 10 times since 2002.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai welcomed him in the main courtyard of the presidential palace complex. “This is a tremendous honour for the Afghan people to welcome his excellency Manmohan Singh to his second home,” the president said.
Manmohan Singh responded: “It is always a great honour and privilege to visit you. It is an honour for the entire people of India. India and Afghanistan are partners in progress. We will stand by you through thick and thin and reaffirm our solidarity with the people and government of Afghanistan.”
The ceremonial guard of honour was given by the uniformed members of the Afghan National Army, Afghan Air Force and the police. Later, Karzai introduced the senior members of his government to the visiting leader.
During the ceremonial welcome, the band played the national anthems of India and Afghanistan.
Manmohan Singh is accompanied by National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, Special Envoy on Afghanistan S.K. Lambah and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao.
Manmohan Singh and his delegation reached Kabul after a two-hour flight from New Delhi. He was greeted by Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmay Rasoul, Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak and Kabul Mayor Mohammad Yunus Nawandish.
From the airport Manmohan Singh took a helicopter to reach the presidential palace.
His visit was kept a closely guarded secret and media was requested not to disclose the date and time of his departure for security reasons.
The two leaders will discuss recent developments in the region, in the context of the killing of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, as well as its fallout on the “common fight against the scourge of terrorism”.
Stating that the two countries enjoy “deep and abiding relationship” going back into history, Manmohan Singh said before his departure that both belong to the same region, India “cannot remain unaffected by developments in Afghanistan”.
“We take a long-term view of our partnership with Afghanistan,” he added.
Talks between Manmohan Singh and Karzai will naturally centre on the fallout of the killing of bin Laden by US naval commandos in Pakistan May 2.
“Obviously, the situation post killing is a concern for us. We would like to hear President Karzai’s views,” an Indian source said.
India is the sixth largest donor to the country, giving development assistance worth about $1.5 billion annually.
Some of the Indian projects, especially on road construction, have been the target of attacks by the Taliban.
Indian personnel in Afghanistan have been under high security after being targeted several times by the Taliban.
Manmohan Singh is bringing with him a slew of “gifts” for Afghanistan, especially an increase in sponsorship for community projects and scholarships for students.
Private sector investment will be another area of discussion, especially with 15 Indian companies vying for a share of Afghanistan’s lucrative Hajigak iron mine.
“We encourage such (private sector) participation in these big projects… we have to now see how to develop a consortia,” said an Indian official, noting Kabul had assured that the security concerns of private investors will be met.
(Devirupa Mitra can be contacted at [email protected])