Monday, August 29 2005 19:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returned here today (Aug 29, 2005) after a two-day visit to Afghanistan, saying it was a privilege for India to be a partner in the development of that country.

"It is a privilege for India to be a partner in the path that Afghanistan has chosen. So I have come back with a great sense of satisfaction that our two countries are working hand in hand to accelerate the tempo of social and economic development and strengthen the democratic foundation of the polity of Afghanistan," Singh said on his arrival here.

Replying to a question, the Prime Minister said India's assistance to Afghanistan covered several key areas of critical importance for the country's development. "We are in the South Asian region and India and Afghanistan working together can do a lot of things to help each other," he said.