Presidential Palace, Kabul - H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,
will leave tomorrow on a 3-day official visit to India.

During his trip, the President will hold talks with H.E. Abdul Kalam, President of India, H.E. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, a number of Indian government ministers and Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Congress Party. Issues of bilateral importance will be discussed in these meetings.

The President will also address the India Today Conclave 2005, to be held in New Delhi on 25 and 26 February 2005. The India Today Conclave is a forum organized by India Today Magazine for an exchange of ideas among decision makers.

The India Today Conclave expects speakers such as H.E. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister
of India, H.E. Shaukat Aziz, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nobel Laureate V.S. Naipaul, Chief Guest Senator Hillary Clinton, and Mr.Amitabh Bachchan. The theme of this year's conclave will be "India Tomorrow: Perception versus Reality".

The President looks forward the opportunity of the visit to thank the people of India for their contributions towards the rebuilding of Afghanistan, especially in the area of infrastructure.