New Delhi: President A P J Abdul Kalam on March 6 said India was with Afghanistan in its efforts to thwart the periodic incidents of terrorism, attack on security forces and the regrouping of the forces of terror and obscurantism.

Speaking at a banquet in honour of the visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai at Rashtrapati Bhavan, he said, "We are not unaware of the challenges and dangers that the Afghan people continue to face. The periodic incidents of terrorism, attacks on security forces and reports of regrouping of the forces of terror and obscurantism, remind us of these. We are with you as you thwart these attempts."

He said the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two countries reflects India's desire for a higher level of economic engagement for the benefit of "our peoples".

The President said India has decided to concentrate during the next phase on the infrastructure sector, which would include projects for irrigation, water supply, power, warehousing and road construction.

"Our endeavour would be that it should also contribute to the fulfilment of Afghanistan's potential of being a bridge connecting different countries of our region," Kalam said.

The President said, "No one can underestimate the magnitude of the challenges your country faces. After more than 20 years of severe disruption, displacement and internal differences, you have to virtually re-build the nation from the base."

PTI