PM to Karzai: India will stand by you

Details of the PM's arrival in Afghanistan.

President Hamid Karzai received Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Kabul today, saying, 'Welcome to your second home'. Singh, who arrived earlier on a two-day visit to the Afghan capital, was given a ceremonial reception by the Afghan Police, the Army and the Air Force in the grand presidential palace -- The Arg.

The Prime Minister, in turn, described India and Afghanistan as 'partners in progress'. "It is always a great honour and privilege to visit you. That you have invited me to visit is an honour to entire people of India.

"India and Afghanistan are partners in progress and we will stand by you through thick and thin, and we reaffirm our solidarity with the people and government of Afghanistan," he told the Afghan president at the reception at the palace.