'Gift of life': India and Afghanistan sign MoU for construction of Shahtoot Dam near Kabul

India and Afghanistan on February 9 signed an agreement to build Shahtoot Dam in Kabul in order to provide drinking water facility in Afghan capital. During a virtual summit, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and his Afghan counterpart Mohammed Haneef Atmar signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in presence of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ghani thanked PM Modi for "gift of life" through signing of an agreement on Shatoot Dam.

Speaking at virtual summit, Afghan President said, “With Shahtoot reservoir, we will be able to implement our vision of restoring natural beauty that captivated imagination of Babur. I thank India and Prime Minister Modi for offering this gift of water, in dition to gift of vaccines.”

“This is moment for regional consensus and international consensus. For a guarantee of a stable and prosperous Afghanistan. We must ask world and all stakeholders to respect rules and sovereignty and international relations. Stop giving sanctuaries and stop interfering in affairs of ir neighbours,” he ded. 

Ghani also lauded India for providing attention to Afghanistan and giving a “gift of life to Kabul and people of Afghanistan symbolise value of decency, democracy, humanity, mutual interest, mutual respect, mutual trust and our interdependent world”. Shahtoot Dam that will be constructed on Kabul river basin would help provide drinking water to residents of city of two million. India has anunced at least 150 projects in war-stricken country and it has pledged to rebuild Afghanistan committing to $80 million worth of projects. 

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PM Modi underlines ‘civilisational connect’

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said that PM Modi highlighted “civilisational connect”  between India and Afghanistan and assured Ghani of India’s “long term commitment” for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan. Prime Minister also said that “ outside force” will be able to hinder Afghanistan’s journey towards development as well its relations with India. PM Modi said, “We are concerned over increasing violence in Afghanistan....we support a comprehensive ceasefire in country”. Furr, PM Modi also ted that a “united Afghanistan” will be able to deal with any challenge while referring to Afghan peace process.

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