Afghan Prez Ghani arrives in India for a day-long visit

New Delhi, October 24: Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has arrived in India today to hold discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Ghani is likely to seek India's consultation to stabilize his war-torn country and strategy to broker peace with Taliban rebels.

“Both sides will have the opportunity to review the entire gamut of multifaceted bilateral strategic partnership, including the New Development Partnership; hold consultations and coordinate on furthering the shared objective of promoting peace, security, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan and efforts to combat the menace of terrorism,” said the statement.

The visit will build upon the recent high level bilateral exchanges between the two countries, including the recent visit of Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and that of Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani to India for the meeting of the bilateral Strategic Partnership Council, which was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Apart from holding delegation-level talks with PM Modi, President Ghani will meet President Kovind, who will also host a lunch in his honour. Ghani is also scheduled to give a public address at Vivekanand International Foundation.

Ghani is visiting India on the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, said an external affairs ministry statement. The invitation was extended by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval during his Kabul trip on October 16.

Notably, India is actively engaging in Afghan's war against Taliban. US secretary of state Rex Tillerson will also arrive in India to discuss the same.