Afghanistan's military academy students stand guard in front of the largest ever Afghan flag to fly in the country, on the Wazir Akbar Khan hilltop in Kabul (Photo: AP)

Kabul: Afghanistan has boldly raised its black, red and green megaflag big enough to drape over a dinosaur in the heart of the capital here with India’s help, a monument that symbolises ‘Hind-Afghan Dosti.’ The 97 by 65 feet flag taller than the Statue of Liberty replica in Las Vegas was personally presented by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to Afghan President Hamid Karzai last week during her maiden visit to the country.

The flag was hoisted over Kabul’s historic Wazir Akbar Khan hill, next to the empty Communistera swimming pool once used by the Taliban regime for executions. The monument is being called the Menara Bayraq, or Flag Minaret. Speaking at the inaugural flag hoisting ceremony, Swaraj said, “Hind Afghan Dosti Zindabad,” and added that India will always be Afghanistan’s first strategic partner.