Karzai accepts honorary degree in India

KABUL): President Hamid Karzai, who is in India on a two-day visit, on Monday night accepted an honorary degree from the Lovely Professional University in the northern state of Punjab.

Indian president Pranab Mukherjee conferred the Doctorate to Karzai at the university’s graduation ceremony in Jalandhar city, a statement issued from the Presidential Palace in Kabul said.

It added the president was honoured with the degree in recognition of his services for his country’s development and reconstruction, economy sectors and international relations.

“President Hamid Karzai is a great friend of India and his presence here will be remembered forever by the people of Punjab and university students,” the Indian president said in his remarks.

Karzai used his acceptance speech to thank India for its support since in 2001 when he came to power after the fall of the Taliban.

“India, as a friend of Afghanistan, has made an immense contribution in uplifting its youths,” the Afghan leader said. “India has contributed $2 billion from the hard-earned money of its taxpayers for the betterment of Afghanistan.”

Karzai said he would discuss with Indian officials higher education opportunities for Afghan students in India, saying the Lovely Professional University director had promised him to absorb as many Afghan students as wished by Afghanistan.

During his talks in New Delhi, Aimal Faizi, Karzai’s spokesman, said the president would ask for “all kinds of assistance from India in order to strengthen our military and security institutions”.

Indian officials said discussions would cover a potential arms deal between the two countries.

Karzai was last in New Delhi in November when he tried to persuade Indian business leaders that Afghanistan was ripe for investment, promising them a “red carpet welcome”.

Karzai, who is to hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mukherjee, later in the day will try to secure more military aid.

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