IANS
NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 1
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reiterated India’s commitment for building a peaceful Afghanistan when Afghanistan’s Chief Executive Officer and Head of the Council of Ministers Abdullah Abdullah called on him here.
“The prime minister expressed deep gratitude towards the government and the national security forces of Afghanistan for their bravery and sacrifice in order to protect the Indians, especially during the attack on the Indian consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif on January 4-5, 2016,” the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.
“The prime minister reiterated India’s commitment to extend all possible support to the efforts of the Afghan people in building a peaceful, stable, prosperous, inclusive and democratic country,” it stated.
On his part, Abdullah Abdullah recalled positively the maiden and successful visit of Mr. Modi to Afghanistan in December last year.
During Mr. Modi’s visit to Kabul on December 25, the new Afghan Parliament building, constructed with India’s aid, was inaugurated.
At Monday’s meeting, Abdullah Abdullah said that the visit re-energised the strategic partnership between the two countries.
“He deeply appreciated the support being extended by India for infrastructure development and capacity building in Afghanistan,” the External Affairs Ministry statement said.
“The two leaders shared views on further deepening the strategic partnership, both in the bilateral and regional context.”
An agreement for visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders of the two countries was exchanged in the presence of Mr. Modi and Abdullah Abdullah.
The Afghanistan Chief Executive later held a meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during the course of which India approved the third phase of 92 small development projects in Afghanistan.
External affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted that Sushma Swaraj has approved the “strategic partnership for the benefit of (Afghan) people”.
Abdullah Abdullah, who arrived here on Sunday on a five-day visit to India, will leave for Jaipur on Tuesday where he will deliver the keynote address at a conference on counter-terrorism organised by the India Foundation in collaboration with Sardar Patel University of Police, Security and Criminal Justice, Jodhpur.
President Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the conference on Tuesday.
The conference will bring together counter-terrorism practitioners, policy makers and public intellectuals from India and abroad, the president’s secretariat said in a statement. The first counter-terrorism conference was held in March 2015 in Jaipur.
India, Afghanistan ink pact for visa-free travel by diplomats
PTI
NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 1
India and Afghanistan today inked a pact for visa-free travel by their diplomats following Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which they discussed key bilateral and regional issues including security cooperation.
“Sustained engagement with Afghanistan. Chief Executive Abdullah meets the Prime Minister... Promoting stronger diplomatic ties...India and Afghanistan sign agreement on visa free travel for diplomats,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.
During the meeting Mr Abdullah thanked PM Modi for consistent assistance from India in various spheres including defence and for meeting his country’s developmental needs. India had given three multi-role Mi-35 helicopters to Afghanistan in December for combating terrorism in the war-torn country.
Later, the visiting leader held talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during which they discussed the security situation, Afghan peace process, internal political situation in the strife-ravaged country as also the regional security situation, official sources said.
“The two leaders also discussed the role of international community to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan and to defeat challenge of terrorism,” sources said.
Ms Swaraj informed Mr Abdullah about India’s efforts to expedite implementation of as many as 92 small developmental projects in Afghanistan that are nearing completion. The minister also assured Mr Abdullah of government’s help in facilitating participation of a strong Afghan contingent in the 12th SAF games to be held in Guwahati and Shillong.
The Afghan leader’s visit comes nearly a month after PM Modi’s trip to Kabul during which he inaugurated the new Afghan Parliament building, constructed with India’s aid.
Mr Abdullah, who arrived in Delhi yesterday, is in India primarily to attend a conference on counter-terrorism in Jaipur organised by India Foundation in association with Sardar Patel University of Police Security and Criminal Justice. He will leave for Jaipur tomorrow.
