Narendra Modi calls for end to terrorism

Modi, Ghani inaugurate new Parliament building in Kabul

Kabul : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for an end to cross border terrorism while inaugurating a new parliament building in this South Asian nation here.

Without naming Pakistan, Modi said in an address to the parliament here: "Afghanistan will succeed only when terrorism no longer flows across the border; when nurseries and sanctuaries of terrorism are shut and their patrons are no longer in business. "Terror and violence cannot be the instrument to shape Afghanistan’s future or dictate the choices Afghans make,” he said.

Modi reached Kabul in the wee hours of Friday while on his way back from a two day visit to Russia. He, along with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, inaugurated the new Afghan parliament building that has been constructed with Indian assistance of $90 million. One block of the building has been named after former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

“Bahut dhanyavaad India 4 giving us a new house of democracy. Its a testimony to our unyielding friendship,” Ghani stated in a tweet. In his address, Modi said that there were “some who did not want us to be here”. “There were those who saw sinister designs in our presence here. There are others who were uneasy at the strength of our partnership.

Some even tried to discourage us.” He said that “those waging war from outside must seek a path to this building and this hall”. Modi said that Afghanistan’s success would require the cooperation and support of each of its neighbours.