KABUL (SW): Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation has facilitated his Afghan counterpart Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on the occasion of Afghanistan’s 96th Independence Day that falls on August 19.
Putin said in his message Russian-Afghan relations are friendly and constructive in nature and we have re-affirmed this in our recent meeting in Ufa, Russia. Ghani met Putin on the sidelines of Shangai Cooperation Council (SCO)‘s meeting earlier this year. I am confident that our joint efforts to further develop bilateral relations will prove fruitful for our people and will strengthen the security and stability in Central Asia, Putin hoped.
He wished the Afghan nation peace and prosparity. The Russian President also wished for Ghani’s good health and success.
Afghanistan celebrates the Independence Day on August 19 to commemorate the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919 that granted complete independence from Britain; although Afghanistan was never a part of the British Empire. The British fought three wars with Afghanistan.
The First Anglo-Afghan War (1839–1842) led to the defeat of the entire British-led Indian invaders by Afghan forces under Akbar Khan. The Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–80) first led to the British defeat followed by their victory at the Battle of Kandahar, which led to Abdur Rahman Khan becoming the new emir and the start of friendly British-Afghan relations. The British were given control of Afghanistan's foreign affairs in exchange for protection against the Russians and Persians.
The Third Anglo-Afghan War in 1919 led the British to give up control of Afghanistan's foreign affairs.
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