Monday, August 15 2005 12:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Voicing India's desire to see Afghanistan prosperous and strong, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Aug 15, 2005) said he will soon be travelling to that country.

"In a few days, I will be going to Afghanistan. We will try to strengthen and support democracy and economic growth in all possible ways," Singh said in his Independence Day address.

"We have had historic links and relations with Afghanistan. It is our desire to see Afghanistan prosperous and strong," he stressed.

The Prime Minister is expected to undertake the trip to Kabul later this month after the end of the Monsoon session of Parliament.

Observing that the composite dialogue process was continuing with Pakistan, he said as a result, the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway was reopened and a bus service re-started, a step widely welcomed.

Talks were going on to open similar links from points in other states, he said.

The Prime Minister said discussions were also underway on the proposed gas pipeline from Iran to India via Pakistan. "Once this is completed, we will be able to address a major constraint affecting our economy," he said.

Noting that it was New Delhi's sincere hope to work with all neighbours in South Asia to effectively address the challenges of poverty, unemployment and disease, he said, "If India and Pakistan are able to work together, then we will have many opportunities for making our countries prosperous.

I am confident that we will be able to fulfil this vision".