In Kabul, Modi makes veiled attack on Pakistan over infiltration

Declaring that India is in Afghanistan to contribute not to compete, to lay the foundations of future and not light the flame of conflict, Modi also said terror and violence cannot be the instrument to shape the future of the strifetorn country or dictate the choices its people make.

The Prime Minister was addressing the Afghan Parliament here after inaugurating its swanky new building that was built by India at a cost of 90 million USD in the presence of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. 

He also opened an ‘Atal block’ in the Parliament premises named after former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee whose 91st birthday fell today. In his nearly 40-minute address during which he was cheered by the assembled audience on several occasions, Modi also made a veiled reference to Pakistan’s reservations about Indian involvement in Afghanistan, saying, “There are some who did not want us to be here. There were those who saw sinister designs in our presence here. There are others who were uneasy at the strength of our partnership. 

Some even tried to discourage us.” “Afghanistan will succeed only when terrorism no longer flows across the border; when nurseries and sanctuaries of terrorism are shut; and, their patrons are no longer in business, he said, adding, “Terror and violence cannot be the instrument to shape Afghanistan’s future or dictate the choices Afghans make.”

The memorable portrayal of a pathan, Sher Khan by actor Pran in Zanjeer , a classic starring Amitabh Bachchan, found its way into diplomacy as Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned it to underscore how Indians view Afghans as true and magnanimous friends.

And not just Sher Khan, the character of Kabuliwalla in story by that name penned by Rabindranath Tagore too figured in Modi’s speech to Afghan Parliamentarians, as did the successes of Afghan cricket team to highlight the strong cultural and people-to-people bond between the two peoples. 

Addressing the Afghan Parliament today with numerous references emblematic of the warm, age-old ties, Modi lauded the Afghan people for their valour, courage and magnanimous friendship and then went to recite lyrics of a song in Zanjeer filmed on “Hindi cinema’s most favourite Pathan character - Sher Khan.” 

Yaari hai imaan mera, yaar meri zindagi , a smiling Modi said and then translated it for Afghan Parliamentarians, that “friendship is my faith and friend is my life.”