PM to visit Afghanistan

Dates for the Prime Ministers visits abroad are normally announced well in advance

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will visit Afghanistan very soon. Sources declined to reveal the dates for the visit in view of security implications,especially after the terror alert at Indian missions in Afghanistan following the killing of Osama bin Laden by US special forces in Pakistan on May 2.

Dates for the Prime Ministers visits abroad are normally announced well in advance.

India has pledged $ 1.3 billion towards rebuilding Afghanistan,and Singhs visit is expected to demonstrate and carry forward New Delhis commitment towards that country.

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Singh last visited Afghanistan in August 2005,accompanied by Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi and several senior officials. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has,on the other hand,been a frequent visitor to India,having been here last in February 2011.

Both governments will pull out all the stops to make the coming visit a success. Singh,who is expected to have top officials in his entourage,is expected to make some big-ticket announcements during his visit.

India is building roads,railways and education and health infrastructure in Afghanistan. It is also building Kabuls new parliament.

Hundreds of Indians involved in the projects face risks from militants,and at least five have been abducted and killed by the Taliban so far. The Indian embassy in Kabul has been bombed twice,killing a diplomat and a senior Army officer.

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