India gives USD 1 mln for Afghan National Flag Monument site

India today pledged USD 1 million for Afghanistan's plan to develop the National Flag Monument site here into a public area where people can pay homage to the brave martyrs of this country.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who was here on a day-long visit, felicitated the people of Afghanistan on the inauguration of the National Flag Monument on behalf of the Indian people and the government.
"I would like to take this opportunity to announce India's contribution of USD 1 million for your plan to develop this National Flag Monument site into a public area where people from all over Afghanistan can come and visit when they visit their capital city Kabul," Swaraj said on the occasion.

Addressing Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who was also present at the inauguration of the monument, Swaraj said even though the achievements in the political reconstruction of Afghanistan over the last 13 years are "very impressive", there are still many challenges that lie ahead.
"In this Monument I see a powerful symbol of a unified and independent Afghanistan. I also see a Monument that befits the memory of the countless Afghan citizens, Mujahideen and soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice and who paid a great price for building this great nation," she said.
Swaraj expressed confidence that with the spirit that has brought the Afghan people so far, these challenges will be overcome and the vision of a strong, independent, unified and prosperous Afghanistan will be realised soon.

"This is also the week of the Martyrs of Afghanistan. On this occasion I would like remember a great son and hero of Afghanistan, Commander Ahmad Shah Masood. His entire life was also dedicated to the unity and security of this country and its great people, he too like countless others was willing to make the supreme sacrifice for his nation," she said.

During her visit, Swaraj held wide-ranging talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and her counterpart Foreign Minister Zarar Osmani, assuring all possible help to the Afghan people to realise their vision of a strong, independent and prosperous Afghanistan as the two countries agreed to intensify cooperation in key areas like security, defence and reconstruction work.

"India will always be Afghanistan's first strategic partner. We are committed to assisting Afghanistan in whatever manner is possible within our means," Swaraj said during the inauaguration of the Monument.
"We share your vision that this place should be for recreation and tourism, and also for paying homage to all the brave Afghan men and women who have laid down their lives for this country," she said.