Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a five-nation visit today which will cover Afghanistan, Qatar, Switzerland, the US and Mexico.

Modi will begin his trip with Afghanistan to inaugurate India-funded Salma Dam which has been constructed at a cost of about Rs.1,400 crore.

The multipurpose project, undertaken by Indian Government on river Chist-e-Sharif in the province concerned, is expected to irrigate 75,000 hectares of land and generate 42 megawatt of power, besides ensuring water supply and other benefits to local people.

The project is executed and implemented by WAPCOS Ltd, a public sector enterprise under the Water Resources Ministry.

From Afghanistan, he will proceed to energy-rich Qatar and then to Switzerland where black money is likely to be on the agenda.

In the United States, Modi will meet President Barack Obama and also address a joint meeting of the US Congress.

It was initially meant to be a three nation tour to Afghanistan, Qatar and the US but was stretched to include Switzerland and Mexico as well. Both countries have opposed India's membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group or NSG.

Narendra Modi will also visit China,Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in the second week of July for diplomatic reach.

PM will also carry unique artifacts, which have a link to Central Asia as well as a strong India connect, as gift items for his hosts of all the five nations.

By M. Divya Shri