Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke to former Afghan President Hamid Karzai and hailed his effort to strengthen bilateral relations besides successfully steering his country on the path of peace, prosperity and stability which will "never be forgotten".

Modi told Karzai that he will always remain a "special friend" for India which was like a second home to him and invited him to undertake an early visit. Karzai said he looks forward to visiting India soon.

During the telephone call more than a month after Karzai demitted office which he held for nearly 13 years, Modi congratulated him for his leadership in ensuring a historic and peaceful political transition and formation of a National Unity Government in Afghanistan, a PMO statement said.

This, the prime minister said, would not have been possible without the wisdom, courage and foresight of Karzai.