Modi calls new Afghan President Ghani

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on wednesday congratulated Afghanistan’s new President Ashraf Ghani and assured him that India would stand with him, as a friend and a partner, at every step as his government builds a strong and peaceful Afghanistan.
On his part, Ghani, during the telephonic conversation with Modi, described India as the “foundation of Afghanistan’s diplomacy and economic strategy” and suggested immediate commencement of dialogue between the two governments, including between their national security advisors and economic advisors.
The Prime Minister lauded President Ghani’s “wisdom and statesmanship, and his commitment to unity, peace and progress in Afghanistan, which had enabled the formation of a broad- based and inclusive government and a peaceful political transition” and mentioned that his experience will be beneficial for India and the region.
Modi expressed confidence that Ghani’s expertise, global experience and grassroots knowledge, borne out of travel to every district of Afghanistan,
Ghani also accepted the Prime Minister’s invitation to visit India at the earliest opportunity. In a first transition of power since Hamid Karzai became president after 2001 US-led invasion, Ghani was sworn in as president of Afghanistan on September 29. (PTI)