Visiting Afghan President to hold talks with PM Modi; agendas including security cooperation and Chabahar Port on top

New Delhi, September 19: Amidst a surge in violence in Afghanistan, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday on a day-long visit to India.

 

Notably, Afghan president Ashraf Ghani has arrived in New Delhi with an aim to discuss security cooperation with the Indian leadership as also to request it to expedite work on various India-supported infrastructure projects, including the Chabahar Port.

Ashraf Ghani will also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the afternoon and discuss the issues related to bilateral ties and also matters concerning regional security. India Foundation will host the civic reception for the visiting dignitary.

Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri received Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. In a tweet he said, “Our strategic partnership with Afghanistan continues to grow each day. I regard it as a privilege to be assigned to receive a close friend of India, the President of Afghanistan, HE @ashrafghani upon his arrival in New Delhi earlier today.”

While External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in a tweet said, “A strategic partnership since 2011 that has gone from strength to strength! President of Afghanistan, @ashrafghani warmly welcomed by Minister of State Housing and Urban Development @HardeepSPuri upon his arrival in Delhi.”

The visit is considered significant in more ways than one as it is coming within days of Pakistan Foreign Minister visiting Afghanistan and holding crucial talks. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale travelled to Kabul to chair the meeting of the Joint Working Group on Political and Security Cooperation between India and Afghanistan.