Joint Declaration between India and Afghanistan on the Occasion of the visit of Prime Minister of India At the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, paid an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.<br><br>
During the visit, H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh held detailed discussions with H.E. President Hamid Karzai on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.<br><br>
The two sides agreed to impart a long term commitment to their multifaceted bilateral relations and to actively develop them in the years ahead. India and Afghanistan confirmed their adherence to the common ideals of peace, democracy, inclusive development, rule of law, non-violence, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and underlined their shared commitment to combating terrorism that threatens countries as well as the region and the world as a whole. The two leaders shared their vision of Afghanistan as an independent, democratic, stable and prosperous country.<br><br>
Reaffirming their commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, India and Afghanistan decided to establish a Strategic Partnership covering all areas of mutual interest. Based on mutual understanding and long term trust in each other, this Partnership envisages the elevation of their multifaceted ties to a higher level, both in the bilateral field and in the international arena.<br><br>
The two sides agreed that the Strategic Partnership between India and Afghanistan will include various facets of the bilateral relationship. Among various spheres, the two sides agreed to enhance and expand cooperation in the field of education and human resource capacity development, including through expanded opportunities for education and training for Afghan students in India and a significant expansion of the ongoing Small Development Projects (SDPs) scheme for grass-root level development in all parts of Afghanistan, especially remote and rural areas, and for the welfare particularly of Afghan women and children.<br><br>
The Indian side announced an additional outlay of US$ 500 million for these and other projects to be decided in consultation with Afghan partners making their total development commitment to Afghanistan US $ 2 billion. The Afghan side expressed gratitude to India for its commitment to Afghanistan's reconstruction and development and for its generous support over the past ten years, including the new announcement of an additional US$ 500 million to its past contribution.<br><br>
The two sides affirmed that their Strategic Partnership was not directed against any other State or group of States.
