Photo: AP

HOMECOMING: Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai obliges autograph-seekers in Shimla on Wednesday.

SHIMLA: The Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai who was on a private visit here on Wednesday praised India for its generous help to his country in the past five years.

Answering questions of Himachal University students of which he is an alumnus, the Afghan President said: "We had old and historical relations with India and the latter has always acted as a `frontliner' in helping the war-torn country of ours." He confessed, "though India is not an aid giving nation yet it has given a help of $700 million to us."

In his salutation to India he said: "The country is becoming a world leader in economy and advancement of science and technology. It has great institutions and has a tremendous freedom," he added.

The President who reminisced minute details of his stay in Shimla, avoided political questions. Asked about his opting for a second term as President, Mr. Karzai in a statesmanlike reply said he wanted a future for Afghanistan and continuation of a legacy of a prosperous and developed nation. "I won't mind the new generation to come and take over," he added.

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