Karzai stresses India’s role in Afghan uplift

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President Hamid Karzai on Sunday said India was among the countries supporting Afghan youth in the education sector, acknowledging New Delhi’s crucial role in enhancing his country’s capacity.

Currently on a four-day state visit to India, Karzai is accompanied by a high-level delegation that also participated in the conference “India and development partnerships in Asia and Africa: Towards a new paradigm”.

A statement from the Presidential Palace in Kabul said Karzai made the remarks in his key note address at the two-day conference organised by Symbiosis International University and the Ministry of External Affairs. Welcomed by two Afghan students holding their country’s flag, Karzai called India one of the most important countries in supporting and developing Afghanistan, particularly its education sector.

Extension of electricity lines from the northern zone to Kabul, construction of the parliament building, a power dam, Indira Gandhi Child Hospital in Kabul and providing thousands of scholarships to Afghan students illustrated New Delhi’s support for Kabul, Karzai added.

“We have witnessed India’s active support in facilitating Afghan students. The students returning from India are better serving their motherland,” the president said.

Karzai delivered the address on the second day on the topic 'Afghanistan-India partnership for development.' He also interacted with international students of the university at a special session on the future of education.