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Prime Minister Narendra Modi Gets An Old Friend's Welcome In Kabul

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Gets An Old Friend's Welcome In Kabul

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to discuss a wide range of issues, including security and bilateral cooperation.

PM begins speech, quoting the poet Rumi: Raise yr words, not your voice. It is rain that gives flowers, not thunder pic.twitter.com/I8YNco79ih

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

Modi met Ghani soon after his arrival in Kabul from Moscow in the wee hours. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome after which Ghani warmly received him at presidential palace.

"A meeting between friends...President @ashrafghani warmly welcomes PM @narendramodi as they begin their meeting," Prime Minister's office tweeted.

"The embrace of a friend, the strength of a true partner.

Prez @ashrafghani welcomes PM @narendramodi in Kabul," External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted.

On his arrival here, Modi was received by Afghan National Security Adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar and deputy Foreign minister Hekmat Karzai.

"From Russia to Afghanistan. A pre-dawn arrival in Kabul begins a day of engagements with another dost," Swarup tweeted.

From India to the Heart of Asia. Afghan Parliament ready for a historic address by PM @narendramodipic.twitter.com/FdlThuIQSj

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

Modi will also be holding talks with other Afghan leaders, including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah and former President Hamid Karzai.

His talks with Afghan leaders will be focused on key bilateral issues including security co-operation and the ways to help the war-torn country where India has committed over USD two billion assistance.

He will also inaugurate the Parliament building which has been constructed by India at a cost of USD 90 million. He is expected to address the Afghan lawmakers.

The Parliament building project, which was initially conceived at a cost of USD 45 million, was started by India in 2007 as a mark of friendship and cooperation to help rebuild Afghanistan.

A binding of democracies. PM @narendramodi with Afghan President and the speakers of the two houses of Parliament. pic.twitter.com/BuccvV1k8x

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

Built by India but nurtured by Afghanistan's indomitable faith in its future. PM arrives at the Afghan Parliament pic.twitter.com/WQfl7tic4Q

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

Significantly, prior to the Prime Minister's visit, India has delivered three Mi 25 attack helicopters to Afghanistan, in what is seen as a shift in its strategy towards the strife-torn country.

Defence sources said that three such choppers have already been delivered to the Afghan government, which will boost its capability against Taliban terrorists.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.