India will be by the side of Afghanistan at every step : PM Modi

Addressing the Afghan Parliament during his daylong visit to Afghanistan, Modi invoked the famous Zanjeer song, "Yari hai imaan mera yaar meri zindagi (friendship is my faith, friend is my life)," which was on the lips of Sher Singh, a Pathan character in the Amitabh Bachchan-starrer film.

"In the heart of every Indian and Afghan, there is boundless love for each other...  India is here to contribute not to compete, to lay the foundations of future, not light the flame of conflict, to rebuild lives, not to destroy a nation," he assured.


The PM said he was confident that normalcy will return in Afghanistan taking the country to progress and prosperity and the battle they are fighting will not only secure their own future but also contribute to providing a safer world.

"I am confident that hope will return to your homes, laughter in your schools, life in yowhiur streets prosperity in your cities," he said.


Modi  said that there are multiple opportunities for the terror-hit Afghanistan and they should look in the direction of development. "Every youth in Afghanistan should see a future in which IT stands for information technology, not international terrorism. Terror and violence cannot be the instrument to shape Afghanistan’s future or dictate the choices Afghans make," he said

"Terror and violence cannot be the instrument to shape Afghanistan’s future or dictate the choices Afghans make...


Afghanistan will succeed only when terrorism no longer flows across the border; when nurseries and sanctuaries of terrorism are shut," he added."

Modi also  appealed to the other "countries, saying  they should support Afghanistan in its fight against terrorism. "As Afghans take responsibility for their future, the world must stand with them in solidarity and support. Afghans are not only fighting for their future but are standing up for all of us and a safer world," he said.

The PM conveyed his "eternal gratefulness to "every Afghan, who risked or lost his life so that his Indian guest is safe."


He expressed satisfaction that Indian scholarships and training programmes were empowering Afghan youth with modern education and professional skills."Together we have built roads that have brought regions closer; power transmission lines & power stations that light up Afghan homes," he said.


"When you began a new journey in a new century, we were proud to stand with you and walk with you," Modi said.

The PM said the new Afghan Parliament built by India stands as an "enduring symbol of ties of emotions and values" of the two countries.