Wednesday, February 16 2005 11:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kabul: Afghanistan yesterday (Feb 15, 2005) hoped that India would look "favourably" at the oil pipeline project from Turkmenistan, which is to pass through this war-ravaged nation.

During a meeting with External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, who was on a day-long visit to Kabul, Afghan President Hamid Karzai "expressed hope that India will look favourably at the pipeline project going through Afghanistan from Turkmenistan," a statement from the Afghan leader's office said.

"The project has significant economic benefit to Afghanistan and the region," Karzai said.

The statement said that Singh's visit focussed on promoting bilateral trade and investment.