Kabul, Aug 10: In the first high level visit after the takeover by President Hamid Karzai, external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha today pledged its strong support for the independence and sovereignty of Afghanistan as the two countries underscored the need for ensuring the permanent and visible eradication of terrorism in the region. Beginning his two-day official visit to the war-ravaged country engaged in reconstruction and rehabilitation after fall of the Taliban regime, Sinha said has come here with a message for peace, stability, unity and reconciliation. India supported "a strong, united, independent and sovereign Afghanistan," he said after gifting one of the three Air India airbus 300 which New Delhi had decided to give to the Ariana airline.

"Our efforts since November (after the fall of Taliban regime) have been in this direction," Sinha said.
Speaking at an impressive ceremony at the Kabul International Airport where he presented the aircraft to afghan civil aviation minister Mirwaiz Siddique, Sinha said the other two aircraft would be flown here shortly.
He also said that India would provide training to the Ariana staff to operate and maintain the aircraft. He said the gift was part of India`s assistance in the reconstruction of Afghanisan.

Bureau Report