New Delhi, May 12 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh left Thursday morning on a long-awaited visit to Afghanistan even as the region grapples with the fallout of the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.He was accompanied by National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, Special Envoy on Afghanistan S.K. Lamba and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao.

The visit, long in planning because of security factors, will be closely watched as it comes just eleven days after bin Laden was shot dead by US naval commandos in Pakistan May 2. Prime Minister Singh was last in Kabul in August 2005.

In his departure statement, he said during his talks with Afghan president Hamid Karzai, both leaders will "exchange views on developments in the region and our common fight against the scourge of terrorism."

He also asserted that India will remain a steadfast partner in development assistance and capacity building for Afghanistan.

"If our region has to prosper and move ahead, Afghanistan must succeed in rebuilding itself. Its people have suffered far too long. India's commitment to assisting the people of Afghanistan is enduring and has weathered many storms," he said.

India is the sixth largest donor to Afghanistan, with its annual development assistance amounting to $1.5 billion.