PM returns after two-day visit to Afghanistan

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday returned to Delhi after a two-day visit to Afghanistan, during which he held talks with the Afghan leadership on several bilateral, regional and international issues, including terrorism and stepped up assistance to the war-torn country.

Dr Singh held talks with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, First Vice President Mohammad Qasim Fahim and Second Vice President Mohammad Karim Khalili before winding up his productive and constructive trip.

During his visit, Dr Singh announced a fresh Indian aid package of $ 500 million for
Afghanistan with focus on the social sector, agriculture, capacity-building and infrastructure projects.

India already has a commitment of $ 1.5 billion in Afghanistan. The new package, which will take Indian aid to $2 billion, will consist of specific projects, schemes and other initiatives that will be developed in consultation with the Afghan government, Dr Singh said.

National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and Prime Minister's special envoy to Afghanistan Satinder Lambah and other senior officials accompanied Dr Singh.

Aiming to strengthen their cooperation in the areas of security and combating terrorism, both the countries also elevated their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, which they affirmed was not directed against any other state or group of states.

The "productive and constructive" discussions between Dr Singh and Karzai covered issues like terrorism and recent developments in the region -- especially last week's killing of Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad in Pakistan.

Both leaders also underlined their shared commitment to combating terrorism that threatens both countries, the region and the world as a whole.

Dr Singh addressed a joint session of the Afghan Parliament on Friday, during which he denounced terrorism and extremism, saying such ideologies provide no answers to problems of the people.

In his 25-minute speech which was applauded repeatedly by nearly 350 Afghan MPs, Dr Singh said the aspirations of the region for growth and prosperity cannot be realised unless there is peace and tranquility that would allow people to live and work in honour and dignity.