President Karzai Meets with the Visiting Indian Foreign Minister, Hopes India Will Be in Favour of Pipeline Project Going Through Afghanistan Presidential Palace, Kabul: H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, met with H.E. Natwar Singh, the Foreign Minister of India who arrived on an official visit to Kabul today 15 February 2005.

H.E. Natwar Singh congratulated the President on the successful elections in Afghanistan as well as other major achievements over the past year. The purpose of his visit, Mr. Natwar Singh said, was to further strengthen cooperation between Afghanistan and India, especially in the area of trade and investment.

President Karzai expressed appreciation for India's contribution in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. "I realize India is not a major donor country, but in Afghanistan, India has been one of the largest contributors", the President said.

Afghanistan will meet the goodwill of India by providing good opportunities in Afghanistan for Indian businesses and investment.

The President expressed hope that India will look favorably at the pipeline project going through Afghanistan from Turkmenistan. The Project has significant economic benefit to Afghanistan and the region.