Kabul, May 12 (IANS) India Thursday offered a fresh assistance of $500 million to Afghanistan as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh began a two-day visit to the country.

 
 The $500 million will be in addition to the $1.5 billion that India already given to Afghanistan.
 
 The new assistance has been committed in certain new specific areas, some of which has are:
 
 · A fresh commitment of $100 million for the third phase of India's programme of Small Development Projects, over and above the previous pledge of US$ 20 million
 
 · Upgradation of the agricultural department at the Kabul University to an agricultural university and providing scholarships for the study of agricultural sciences.
 
 · Donation of 500 tractors for Afghan farmers; Provision of seeds and other assistance for the agricultural sector,
 
 · The early finalization of a $50 million Buyers Credit Line to promote exports and attract Indian business to Afghanistan;
 
 · A grant of $10 million for preservation and revival of Afghanistan's archaeological and cultural heritage and cultural exchanges;
 
 · A grant of $4 million to the Government of Afghanistan for the restoration of the historic Stor Palace in Kabul.
 
 · Assistance in setting up an Afghan Institute of Mining.
 
 · Establishment of a Jawaharlal Nehru Chair of Indian Studies at Kabul University
 
 · Reiterating the commitment to donate 250,000 tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan to meet its requirements this year.