Visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged additional 500 million U.S. dollars to the war-torn Afghanistan on Thursday.

Afghan president Hamid Karzai (R) and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh attend a joint press conference in Kabul on May 12, 2011. The visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged additional 500 million U.S. dollars to the war-torn Afghanistan on Thursday. (Xinhua/Omid)

"India has contributed around 1.5 billion U.S. dollars so far and would contribute another 500 million U.S. dollars within the next few years," Prime Minister Singh told reporters at a joint press conference with President Hamid Karzai at his fortified Palace.

The Indian prime minister also described India as a good friend of Afghanistan, saying his government would continue to support the country in social, agriculture and cultural affairs on long- term basis.

When replying to a question, Singh said that India wants friendly relations with all the countries in the region, including Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Speaking to reporters at the press conference, President Hamid Karzai described terrorism as "the common enemy of all" and called for collective war to overcome the menace of terror.

This is the second visit by Prime Minister Singh to Afghanistan since 2005. The Indian Prime Minister, who is going to address Afghan parliament on Friday, also invited President Karzai to visit India.

On April 16, Pakistani Prime Minister Sayed Yusuf Riza Gillani visited Afghanistan and exchanged views with President Karzai on matters pertaining mutual interests including the war on terror and enhancing bilateral relations between Kabul and Islamabad.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet