Modi, Ghani inaugurate landmark Afghan-India Friendship Dam

Unfazed by terror attacks on its missions, India will continue to extend cooperation in war-torn Afghanistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Saturday after dedicating a Rs 1,700 crore dam in strategically vital Herat province.

Modi said other countries may have a ‘sunset clause’ but India’s ties with Afghanistan remain ‘timeless’.

“Our resources may be modest, but our will is boundless. For others, their commitments may have a sunset clause, but our relationship is timeless. We face barriers of geography and politics, but we define our path from the clarity of our purpose,” he said in an address after inaugurating the Afghan-India Friendship Dam along with President Ashraf Ghani.

Modi hailed the people of Afghanistan for denouncing terrorism and said division among them will only help those seeking to ‘dominate’ the nation from outside.

“It was a war not of Afghan making, but it was one that stole the future of an entire generation of Afghans,” the prime minister said, adding that the brave Afghan people are today sending a message that the forces of ‘destruction and death, denial and domination’ shall not prevail.

When Afghanistan succeeds in defeating terrorism, the world will be ‘safer and more beautiful’, he said.

The dam, earlier known as Salma Dam, has been built by India at a cost of Rs 1,700 crore on river Harirud in Chist-e-Sharif in western Herat neighbouring Iran. It will irrigate 75,000 hectares of land and generate 42 MW of power.

“This dam has not been built by bricks and mortar, but by the faith of our friendship and the valour of Afghans and Indians. And, at this moment of pride, we also stand in grief and gratitude for lives sacrificed so that Afghan people will have a future they so richly deserve and so deeply desire,” Modi said.

Resolving to stand by Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said India’s cooperation will extend to ‘every part’ of the war-torn country and that the partnership will benefit every section of Afghan society.

"In your clear eyes, I saw the deep well of affection for India. In your smiles, I saw the joy of this relationship. In the firmness of your embrace, I felt the trust in our friendship,” Modi said.

In his around 25-minute-long speech, Modi touched upon the peace process in Afghanistan, the massive terrorist attack on Indian Consulate in Herat and reconstruction activities in that country.

“When our people are under attack, the brave Afghans guard us as their own. They put themselves in the line of fire so that their Indian friends are safe. This is the nobility of your heart and the strength of your friendship. I have seen this from the moment I assumed office as Prime Minister. 

“For on that day, when terrorists launched a massive attack on our Consulate in this city of Herat, the heroic efforts of Afghan soldiers, and of our personnel, saved many lives and prevented a big tragedy,” he said, referring to the 2014 attack on the Indian mission in Herat.

In the past, Indian embassy in Kabul has been attacked twice and its mission in Jalalabad was targetted by a suicide bomber in March this year.

Modi further said Afghanistan’s success is a deeply-held hope and desire of every Indian.

"It comes from the love and admiration for Afghans in our hearts. We want to see your democracy strike deep roots, your people unite, and, your economy prosper. We want to see your art, culture and poetry thrive. And, we want to see your cricketers join the ranks of test players and also seek glory in the Indian Premiere League.

"But, it also comes from the recognition that when Afghanistan succeeds, the world will be safer and more beautiful. When the values that define Afghans prevail, terrorism and extremism will be in retreat. Because we know that extremism and terrorism cannot stop at your border or end at the boundaries of our region,” he said.

India will remain a trusted partner of Afghanistan because of the time-tested ‘values that Afghans and Indians seek each other, not because they harbour designs against another’, Modi said.

The prime minister said there has been ‘resistance’ and ‘suspicion’ of others about India’s role in Afghanistan but its resolve was strong that will guide it forward in ensuring the country’s prosperity.

"I said then (during the last visit), and I will say it again, your friendship is our honour; your dreams are our duty. India’s capacity may be limited, but our commitment is without limits.”

Without naming any country, Modi said India drew strength and confidence from Afghanistan’s deep commitment to ‘protect’ the partnership from the ‘designs’ of others.

"With resolve and patience, courage and belief, we have together overcome distance and hurdles, threats and violence,” said the prime minister.

Talking about the dam, Modi said the fields that produce the finest fruits and saffron shall once again ‘come alive’ with the clear waters of the river.

In his address, the Prime Minister invoked the Holy Quran to say that ‘river is central to the image of Paradise’ and cited India’s ancient scriptures in which ‘rivers defined our nation and were celebrated as the giver of life’.

"Today, we are not just launching a project that will irrigate land and light up homes. We are reviving a region, restoring hope, renewing life and redefining Afghanistan’s future.

"The dam is a generator not just of electricity but also of optimism and belief in the future of Afghanistan,” Modi said, insisting he is here to renew India’s pledge for the partnership.

Complementing resolve of the Afghan people in defeating terrorism, Modi said the world will be safer and more beautiful if the country succeeds in its path of peace.

“When the values that define Afghans prevail, terrorism and extremism will be in retreat... we know that extremism and terrorism cannot stop at your border or end at the boundaries of our region,” he said.