The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil has congratulated the President of Afghanistan, Mr. Hamid Karzai on his re-election.

In her message, the President has said, "I am confident that under your leadership our rich and dynamic bilateral relationship - a strategic development partnership - will be further enhanced and strengthened.

The people of India share with the people of Afghanistan a civilizational relationship that straddles trade, commerce, architecture, politics and culture. As a fellow democracy and a member of SAARC, we wish the people of Afghanistan success as they march on the path of development, prosperity, peace and democracy."

This release issued at 1750 hrs.