Narendra Modi inaugurates Stor Palace in Kabul via video link

Prime Minister Narender Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani jointly inaugurated Kabul's Stor Palace via video conference and called the monument a "setting for many momentous historical events".

"The inauguration signalled and showed our joint commitment to strengthening the foundations of modern Afghanistan. The India-Afghanistan-Iran transit corridor agreement that we signed in May this year was another land mark in our partnership," Modi said.

"It manifested our clear and common determination to build new pathways for Afghanistan's economic progress and prosperity," he said. He further added that, "Let me assure the people of Afghanistan that in your quest to build a prosperous Afghanistan and to bring peace, security and stability to your society, the 1.25 billion people of India will always be on your side," he said.

Modi also recalled the time when he inaugurated the Afghan Parliament on December 25 last year. He added, "Afghanistan is a close friend. Our societies and people have had age old ties and links. It, therefore, saddens us to see that your proud nation continues to be challenged by externally sponsored instruments and entities of violence and terror.

"The palace has been the setting for many momentous historical events. To those who cannot see beyond shadows of violence in Afghanistan, the restored Stor palace is a reminder of the glory of Afghanistan's rich traditions," Modi said about the Stor Palace.

"And for our Afghan brothers and sisters, it revives the beauty, the richness and splendour of lost memories of Afghan society," the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister underlined that "in our hearts and minds Indians and Afghans have always been closest of friends." Modi also thanked the Afghan government for "protecting Indian Embassy and Consulates and ensuring the safety and security of Indian experts working in Afghanistan." "The sacrifices made by our Afghan brothers will not be forgotten," the Prime Minister said.

On his part, Ghani said the "logic" of peace and benevolence will defeat the logic of terror and violence as he said India and Afghanistan have always been close friends and joint initiatives like these are a fruitful journey of cooperation between the two nations.

Indian government had promised to help Afghanistan renovate many of its war damaged structures, among which were Executive Block of Afghan Parliament building and the Stor Palace -- also known as Darul Aman Palace -- in Kabul city.