Afghanistan will succeed when nurseries and sanctuaries of terrorism are shut: PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Afghanistan on Friday.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a day-long tour of Afghanistan on Friday. Here are the live updates:

PM Narendra Modi leaves for Lahore from Kabul pic.twitter.com/PY1O5e5imb

— ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2015

CEO Abdullah and PM @narendramodi at the airport. PM will travel to Lahore where he will meet PM Nawaz Sharif. pic.twitter.com/NJv0IXoGse — PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 25, 2015

PM Modi at Kabul airport, to leave for Lahore shortly pic.twitter.com/02bwFp6igH — ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2015

Strengthening millennia-old ties Read for the Joint Statement between India and Afghanistan https://t.co/pWJzMp9kbk

— Indian Diplomacy (@IndianDiplomacy) December 25, 2015

Securing a friendship, ensuring a prosperous future. PM @narendramodi with the bravehearts of the ITBP pic.twitter.com/ZukX5HBCn2 — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

Bridge builders and changemakers. PM spends time with Indians who work for the reconstruction of Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/qwlyD1SuND — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

Long time friend of India, architect of bilateral relations, PM @narendramodi with former President @KarzaiH pic.twitter.com/kEds5q4dyw — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

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Widening the #IndiaAfghanistan friendship. PM @narendramodi meets CEO @DrAAbdullah following his Parliament speech pic.twitter.com/q8u3YCvZt9 — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

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In a surprise development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has just tweeted that he will be visiting Lahore to meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif.

Spoke to PM Nawaz Sharif & wished him on his birthday. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2015

Looking forward to meeting PM Nawaz Sharif in Lahore today afternoon, where I will drop by on my way back to Delhi. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2015

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PM Modi to call on Afghanistan CEO Abdullah Abdullah shortly #ModiInKabul — ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2015

PM Narendra Modi addresses Afghan Parliament

My speech at Afghan Parliament, on bilateral ties, world peace, need to end terror & more. https://t.co/iv7JKz3S5s pic.twitter.com/4bYfs55LC5 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2015

PM ends a historic address at Parliament: India will be with you at every step of your journey to peace & prosperity pic.twitter.com/V2ecJfvxtS — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

- PM Modi concludes his speech by reiterating "India will be with you"

- I am confident that hope will return to your homes, laughter in your schools, life in your streets prosperity in your cities

- Every youth in Afghanistan should see a future in which IT stands for information technology, not international terrorism

- The promise and the opportunities of the 21st century belong to Afghan youth as much as anyone else in the world

- Afghans are not only fighting for their future but are standing up for all of us and a safer world

- As Afghans take responsibility for their future, the world must stand with them in solidarity and support

- When a Kabuliwala can once again come across easily to win Indian hearts

- I hope that Pakistan will become a bridge between South Asia and Afghanistan and beyond 

- Afghanistan will succeed only when terrorism no longer flows across the border; when nurseries and sanctuaries of terrorism are shut

- The flame of terror that is lit up here cannot be contained within the boundaries of Afghanistan

- Terror and violence cannot be the instruments to shape Afghanistan's future or dictate the choices Afghans make

- We know that Afghanistan’s success will require the cooperation and support of each of its neighbours

- You know that India is here to lay the foundations of future, not light the flame of conflict; to rebuild lives, not destroy a nation

- Your history tells us you will never become a theatre of competition or serve the designs of others  

- We are here to contribute, not create conflict

- Some did not want us here; some saw sinister designs. There are others who were uneasy about the strength of our partnership. But, we are here, because you have faith in us. You never doubted the strength of our friendship

- To every Afghan, who risked or lost his life so that his Indian guest is safe, I convey the eternal gratefulness of India

- PM Modi announces 500 scholarships for the children of Afghan security forces' martyrs. Scheme of 1000 scholarships will continue

- We are pleased that our scholarships and training programmes are empowering Afghan youth with modern education and professional skills

- Power and water will flow out of Salma Dam soon. The Stor Palace will again stand as a symbol of your priceless heritage

- Together we have built roads that have brought regions closer; power transmission lines and power stations that light up Afghan homes

- Our partnership helped rural communities get schools, minor irrigation, health centres, welfare for children and opportunities for women

- When you began a new journey in a new century, we were proud to stand with you and walk with you

- Am happy that the Afghan cricket team has found its home ground near Delhi and is practicing there for next year’s World Cup

- In the heart of every Indian and Afghan, there is boundless love for each other

PM @narendramodi - Over the mighty Hindu Kush and through the forbidding Khyber Pass, our ties as ancient as history pic.twitter.com/fmPvgYtAk7 — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

- This Parliament complex is a small tribute to your progress as a nation and a democracy. 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 

- Eleven years ago Atal ji dreamt of this project in partnership with Karzai Saheb. We are deeply touched that you have chosen to name this building the Atal Block: PM Modi

- We could not have chosen a more special day than the birthday of one of the tallest leaders, former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji, (to inaugurate Parliament building)

- Today, I am humbled and honoured to join Pres @ashrafghani and all the MPs to dedicate this new abode of democracy to the Afghan nation

I stand on behalf of 1.25 billion friends in India in admiration for your achievements in gratitude for your friendship: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 25, 2015

- A country with an abiding faith in the tradition of Jirga has chosen democracy, against challenges that would have defeated a lesser people

- Great Afghan people waged an epic struggle of courage and resolve to shape their future with vote and debate not gun and violence

- PM begins speech, quoting the poet Rumi: "Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that gives flowers, not thunder"

PM Shri @narendramodi has begun his speech at the Parliament of Afghanistan. https://t.co/QsU2fMFYLS — PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 25, 2015

PM Modi to address Afghan Parliament shortly

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address lawmakers at Afghanistan's Parliament shortly. 

From India to the Heart of Asia. Afghan Parliament ready for a historic address by PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/FdlThuIQSj — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

PM Modi inaugurates Afghan Parliament building

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated Afghanistan Parliament's new building constructed by India at a cost of about USD 90 million.

Kabul (Afghanistan): PM Narendra Modi inaugurates the new Parliament building of Afghanistan https://t.co/h3mPA6iUql — ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2015

Built by India but nurtured by Afghanistan's indomitable faith in its future. PM arrives at the Afghan Parliament pic.twitter.com/WQfl7tic4Q — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

Past & Future. On 1 side the Dar ul Aman palace bombed out by Taliban. On the other the shining new Parliament bldng pic.twitter.com/q0dlcZMJ0N — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

A binding of democracies. PM @narendramodi with Afghan President and the speakers of the two houses of Parliament. pic.twitter.com/BuccvV1k8x — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

Kabul (Afghanistan): PM Narendra Modi inaugurates the "Atal Block" in the new Parliament building of Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/AIRpoaVaiT — ANI (@ANI_news) December 25, 2015

India, Afghanistan enjoy historic friendship: Ghani

Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani has tweeted about meeting PM Narendra Modi:

Pleased to welcome PM Modi to Kabul. Though, India & AFG need no introduction, bt v're bound by a thousand ties. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/yrcCWbquOM — Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) December 25, 2015

2/3 India and Afghanistan enjoy a friendship that dates back to antiquity. We have stood by each other in the best and worst of times. — Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) December 25, 2015

3/3 Currently, as Afghanistan goes through some hard times in it's history, we remain ever thankful to all the valuable assistance of India. — Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) December 25, 2015

PM Narendra Modi meets Afghan President Ashraf Ghani

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday arrived in Afghanistan's capital Kabul where he was welcomed by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and was accorded the Guard of Honour.

PM Modi is now holding talks with President Ghani.

Deepening India - Afghan friendship. PM & President lead delegation level talks over breakfast at Dilkosha Palace pic.twitter.com/OkwmcKBhEr — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

A meeting between friends...President @ashrafghani warmly welcomes PM @narendramodi as they begin their meeting. pic.twitter.com/CMuZHr9rI0 — PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 25, 2015

Bringing Delhi closer to Kabul. PM @narendramodi's engagements begin with tete-a-tete with President @ashrafghani pic.twitter.com/llR6WxJrow — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

President @ashrafghani and PM @narendramodi at the Arg Palace. pic.twitter.com/86SvaNfcsq — PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 25, 2015

The talks will focus on key bilateral issues, including security co-operation and discuss the ways to help war-torn country where India has committed over USD 2 billion assistance.

The PM will also inaugurate the new building of the Afghan Parliament constructed by India at a cost of about USD 90 million. He is also expected to address the Afghan lawmakers.

Significantly, prior to the Prime Minister’s visit, India has delivered three Mi 25 attack helicopters to Afghanistan, in what is seen as a shift in its strategy towards the strife-torn country.

PM Modi arrived in Kabul from Moscow after wrapping up a two-day visit to Russia.

After Moscow, Kabul. PM reached Afghanistan a short while ago. pic.twitter.com/4fWb7hTZUn — PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 25, 2015

PM @narendramodi received on arrival in Kabul by NSA Atmar, Dy FM Karzai and Afghan Ambassador to India Abdali pic.twitter.com/Psx2bcgERe — Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 25, 2015

Delighted to be in Kabul among friends. Will meet President @ashrafghani, CEO Abdullah & former President @KarzaiH. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2015

Will also inaugurate the new Parliament building of Afghanistan. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 25, 2015

During Modi's visit, India and Russia signed 16 pacts to expand cooperation in various sectors, including nuclear and defence.

In Russia, PM Modi held annual summit talks with President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin and underlined the need for the world to unite against terrorism "without distinction and discrimination between terrorist groups and target countries".