The Consulate General of India in Mazar-e-Sharif City of northern Balkh Province on Sunday (January 26) celebrated the 71th Republic Day of the country in a ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony attended by high-ranking government officials, representatives of consulates, civil activists and media outlets in Mazar-e-Sharif, Consul General Mr. Shivji Tiwari shed lights on India’s longstanding contribution to Afghanistan and expressed hope over expansion of bilateral trade between Kabul and Delhi.

” The bilateral trade between India and Afghanistan has reached USD one billion. India is a major market for Afghanistan products,” he said. He also added that air cargo route between the two countries between the two countries has helped boosted trade level.

The Indian Consul General in Balkh, also said that “India has invested USD 3 billion over the past years on various infrastructural projects in Afghanistan, implemented 400 projects and is about to implement 150 more projects.”

Mr. Tiwari reiterated his country’s support for a stable, democratic and peaceful Afghanistan.

On his part, Deputy Provincial Governor of Balkh Bashir Ahmad Tawhidi praised India for being a good friend to Afghanistan and also thanked the country for its contributions.

“India has been the fifth donor country to Afghanistan after the United States, Japan, Germany and… it has played constructive role in Afghanistan. it has built major infrastructural projects including the Salma Dam, Afghan parliament building and Zaranj-Nimruz highway. We wholeheartedly thank the country,”Tawhidi said.

Head of Balkh Provincial Council Dr. Afzal Hadid said the relation between India and Afghanistan goes back thousands of years.

“As an ordinary citizen of Afghanistan, I would like to thank you for your good works as an old friend of Afghanistan. Our relations go back thousands of years. During the past 18 years India has tremendously and sustainably supported Afghanistan and on behalf of the people of Afghanistan and in particular the people of Balkh Province I thank you,” he said.

Arezo News – Humayun Salimi