Tuesday, August 30 2005 16:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Praising the people of Afghanistan for the courage they has shown by embracing democracy, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in Parliament today (Aug 30, 2005) that India will do whatever it is called upon to do to strengthen democracy and freedom of the war-ravaged country.

The Prime Minister, who returned yesterday (Aug 29, 2005) after a two-day visit to Kabul, said the world looked upon India in the practice of democracy.

"I salute the people of Afghanistan for the courage, fortitude and wisdom they are showing by embracing democracy as a way of life and governance".

"We are a unique example of a developing country of such great diversity seeking its salvation through the framework of a democracy," he said in remarks in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha at the end of the month-long Monsoon session.

Singh said he felt a deep sense of pride swell up when he heard Afghan President Hamid Karzai stating that India's success in democratic governance had shown to the developing world that democracy is not a characteristic of the advanced western nations alone and that 'countries of eastern cultures could also present successful examples of democratic politics'.

He quoted remarks by Karzai that by facilitating participation from its people, India has been able to make a stable and pluralistic democracy a reality for Indians.

Karzai had stated, "Asian and African countries in general, and Afghanistan in particular, can learn much from the rich experience of India."