Modi greets Karzai on Afghan Independence Day

Writing to Karzai, Modi said that as a "close friend and neighbour," India attaches the highest importance to further strengthening its multifaceted strategic partnership with Afghanistan.

In this May 27, 2014 file photo, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Hamid Karzai meet after the former's swearing in at New Delhi. Modi on Monday greeted Karzai on the occasion of Afghanistan's Independece Day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to President Hamid Karzai extending greetings for Afghanistan’s Independence Day with a promise to continue India’s full support to the efforts to build a strong, united, peaceful, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan.

“On behalf of the Government and people of India, I have great pleasure in extending to you and the friendly people of Afghanistan our warm greetings and heartiest felicitations on the occasion of the Independence Day of Afghanistan,” Modi wrote to Karzai.

Afghan Independence Day is celebrated on August 19.

Modi told Karzai that as a “close friend and neighbour”, India attaches the highest importance to further strengthening its multifaceted strategic partnership with Afghanistan, which is based on the foundation of enduring goodwill between our people, shared development aspirations and a common quest for peace and stability in the region.

“India will continue to extend its full support to the government and people of Afghanistan in their efforts to build a strong, peaceful, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan,” he underlined.

“I take this opportunity to convey my best wishes for Your Excellency’s good health and well—being, as also for the progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Afghanistan,” Modi wrote.