Afghanistan's highest civilian Amir Amanullah award conferred on PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani today jointly inaugurated a landmark dam, a Rs 1,700 crore showpiece infrastructure project by India in strategically important Herat province, reflecting India's strong commitment to reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.

The Afghan-India Friendship Dam, earlier known as Salma Dam, on river Chist-e-Sharif in western Herat neighbouring Iran, will irrigate 75,000 hectares of land and generate 42 MW of power.

Modi is here as part of his five-nation tour and it is his second visit to Afghanistan in less than six months. Touted as a "landmark" infrastructure project, the dam located 165 km east of Herat town, is expected to significantly boost the agricultural economy of the province.

The project has been executed and implemented by WAPCOS Ltd, a government of India undertaking under ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

In his address at the inauguration ceremony, Ghani welcomed Modi to his "second home", Afghanistan, and said a "long standing dream" of the country has been realised after 30 years with help from India.

"Today, we come together to make eternal India Afghan ties and friendship. This Dam will chart a new course of cooperation and Prosperity," said Ghani adding "Our people identify India with roads, dams and over 200 small development projects."

"Contrary to those who spread chaos and destruction, we two countries have taken the joint decision to build and grow," said Ghani.

After the inauguration of dam, Narendra Modi was conferred with Afghanistan's highest civilian honour, Amir Amanullah Khan Award.

Here are the highlights:

• Today, the brave Afghan people are sending a message that the forces of destruction and death, denial and domination shall not prevail.
• Indian cooperation will extend to every part & benefit every section of Afghan society.
• Want to see your democracy strike deep roots; your people unite; your economy prosper; your cricketers play tests and IPL.
• The friendship dam unites us in solidarity as Chishti Sharif joined us in spirit centuries ago.
• Modi quotes Khwaja Moiunuddin Chisti, says humans must have affection of sun, generosity of river and hospitality of earth.
• Today, the brave Afgan people are sending a message that the forces of destruction and death, denial and domination, shall not prevail.
• This dam has not been built by bricks and mortar, but by faith of our friendship and valour of Afghans and Indians.
• We're not just launching project that will light up homes, but reviving a region, restoring hope, renewing lives and redefining Afghan's future
• Thank You President for naming this dam as Afghan-India Friendship Dam. We are truly humbled by this generosity of the Afghan spirit.
• Honoured to be among people who have set the standard of courage; Privileged to see again high tide of friendship in the vast ocean of love for India.
• This is yet another giant step in Afghanistan's march to progress, says Narendra Modi.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to jointly inaugurate the Afghan-India Friendship Dam in Heart.
• The Herat province lies on the ancient trade routes of the Middle East, Central and South Asia. Roads from Herat to Iran, Turkmenistan, and other parts of Afghanistan are considered strategically important.

All equipment and material required for the dam were transported from India to Bander-e-Abbas port of Iran via sea route and then along 1200 km by road from there to Islam Kila border post at Iran-Afghanistan border and then further 300 km by road from the border post to the site.

Over 1,500 Indian and Afghan engineers were involved in construction of the dam for several years in difficult condition.

Afghanistan is Modi's first stop as part of his five-nation tour which will also take him to Qatar, Switzerland, the US and Mexico.

Modi had visited Kabul on December 25 last year during which he had inaugurated a swanky Parliament complex that was built by India at a cost of USD 90 million.

India has a strategic partnership with Afghanistan and is implementing projects worth USD 2 billion to help rebuild the country's infrastructure.

India has been supporting an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, broad-based and inclusive process of peace and reconciliation, and advocating the need for a sustained and long-term commitment to Afghanistan by the international community.

Earlier, Modi was welcomed by a group of children at Governor's Office in Herat.