KABUL - The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced 500 scholarships for the children of members of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANS) who have lost their lives defending the country.

In his speech during the inauguration ceremony of the new Afghan parliament building, Modi said “Today, I announce 500 scholarships for children of the martyrs of Afghan security forces.”

Modi further added that a scheme consisting scholarships for 1,000 others will also continue.

He also added that India is in Afghanistan because of the faith of Afghan people. “Despite those who did not want us to be here, we are here because you have faith in us. You never doubted the strength of our friendship,” Modi added.

Modi said India is laying the foundations of future in Afghanistan and rebuild lives, ruling out that the country is lighting flame of conflict and to destroy a nation.

“We know that Afghanistan’s success will require the cooperation and support of each of its neighbours,” Modi said, adding that Afghanistan will succeed only when terrorism no longer flows across the border and the sanctuaries of terrorism are shut.

He insisted that the world must stand with the Afghan people in solidarity as Afghans take responsibility for their future.

Modi said the Afghan youth have the right to have access to the opportunities of the 21st century as much as anyone else in the world has.

He ended his historic address, saying “India will be with you at every step of your journey to peace and prosperity”, calling the suffering of the Afghan people the pain of India, the dream of the Afghan people India’s durty, strength of Afghan people India’s belief and courage of Afghan people India’s aspiration. (KP)