Ghani, Modi open Afghan new Parliament built by India in Kabul

President Ashraf Ghani and Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the newly-built Afghan parliament building in Kabul.

“Pleased to welcome PM Modi to Kabul. Though, India & Afghanistan need no introduction, we are bound by a thousand ties… We have stood by each other in the best and worst of times,” Ghani tweeted.

Ghani and Modi toured the parliament building and arrived at the main session hall in the presence of the guests, including member of the Afghan parliament.

The new parliament building in Afghanistan will stand as a symbol of ties between India and Afghanistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after the inauguration ceremony.

“It will stand as an enduring symbol of the ties of emotions and values, of affection and aspirations that bind us in a special relationship,” the Indian prime minister said.

“The great Afghan people waged an epic struggle of courage and resolve to shape their future with vote and debate and not gun and violence.”

Modi said he stands on behalf of “1.25 billion friends in India in admiration for your achievements and in gratitude for your friendship.”

Mr. Modi’s visit to Afghanistan is his first after becoming Prime Minister. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had visited Kabul last in 2011, and had also visited in 2005.

Modi had been invited during Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani’s visit to India in April this year. “I look very much forward to receiving you in Kabul and I hope you will not only come to inaugurate the parliament (building) but also visit the Bamiyan Valley and some of our other sites,” President Ghani had said at the time.

The parliament building, that was started in 2009 has missed its completion deadlines at least 3 times since 2011, and has gone over-budget by double the original costing of $45 million.

Even so, along with the $300 million Salma dam project in Heart province that was started in 2006 and is expected to be completed next year, they have generated much goodwill amongst locals.

Modi  held talks with Afghan leaders on key bilateral issues, including security co-operation and discuss the ways to help war-torn country where India has committed over two billion assistance.