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









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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.




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PM Narendra Modi addresses Afghan Parliament




- 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



- 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



- 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 Modi to address Afghan Parliament shortly


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



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.







India, Afghanistan enjoy historic friendship: Ghani


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





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.






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.






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".