Video: Watch Afghanistan's symbol of democracy - new Parliament building built by India

The Afghan parliament building boasts of Asia’s largest dome and has elements of Mughal and modern architecture (Video below)

December 25, 2015, NewsCrunch

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new parliament building of Afghanistan in Kabul, built by India, on Friday.

Afghan officials describe the building as a symbol of their country's fledgling democracy.

The work on the parliament building started in 2009 and missed its completion deadlines at least 3 times.

The initial budget was estimated at $45 million though project cost eventually doubled to $90 million. .

The parliament building, which boasts of Asia’s largest dome, has elements of Mughal and modern architecture.

It is situated between historic landmarks - King’s Palace ‘Darulaman’ and the Queen's Palace – which bear the marks of the civil war that ravaged Afghanistan.

The building will house the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House) with a seating capacity of 294 and a 190-seat Meshrano Jirga (Upper House). Entrance lobby, offices, conference rooms, dining halls and a press room are among other components of the building.
The official sentiments between New Delhi and Kabul may fluctuate, but the Afghan people see their new parliament building and the 300 million Salma dam project in Heart province as a sign of Indian good will towards them.

When the Salma dam, also called the India-Afghanistan friendship dam, reached a critical filling point in July 2015, thousands of Afghans carried a 100 metre long Indian tricolour as a gesture of gratitude.