Sunday, August 28 2005 14:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kabul: Asserting that a stable and prosperous Afghanistan was essential for regional peace and stability, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in Kabul today (Aug 28, 2005) on a two-day visit to hold talks with Afghan leaders on cooperation in areas like security and India's assistance in reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.

The Prime Minister, accompanied by his wife Gursharan Kaur, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and senior officials, arrived here amidst tight security to hold talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai covering entire gamut of the Indo-Afghan ties and New Delhi's assistance in rebuilding this country.

Singh, who is here at the invitation of Karzai, will also meet Afghanistan's former King Zahir Shah and announce developmental projects worth US$ 50 million for the war-torn nation during his stay.

"During my visit, I intend to further strengthen our bilateral interaction as well as reiterate our support for Afghanistan's economic reconstruction and rehabilitation," the Prime Minister said in New Delhi before emplaning for his visit to Afghanistan, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 29 years.

Singh maintained that a stable and prosperous Afghanistan was essential for peace and stability in the region.

During his stay there, Shah will lay the foundation stone for Afghan Parliament building in presence of Singh.

The Parliament House complex is being constructed by India as a symbol of contribution to strengthening of democracy in the country, which has seen conflicts for decades.