NEW DELHI. Indian and Afghanistan have determination to strengthen connectivity between the two countries, including through Chabahar port and Air-Freight Corridor.
The expression to this effect was made in a meeting between Afghanistan President Dr Ashraf Ghani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on September 19. Notably, Dr Ghani was visiting New Delhi at the invitation of PM Modi.
The two leaders appreciated the successful conclusion of the India-Afghanistan trade and investment show in Mumbai from September 12-15.
They reviewed and positively assessed the progress of the multi-faceted India-Afghanistan strategic partnership. Both of them expressed satisfaction at the increase in bilateral trade that has crossed the US $1 billion mark.
It was also agreed to deepen the New Development Partnership in the areas of high impact projects in this field of infrastructure, human resources development and other capacity building projects in Afghanistan.
President Ghani briefed Prime Minister Modi on initiatives by his government towards peace and reconciliation and also in confronting the challenges of terrorism and extremism imposed on Afghanistan and its people.
The Prime Minister reiterated India’s support to an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace and reconciliation process that would enable Afghanistan to continue as a united, peaceful, inclusive and democratic nation and emerge as an economically vibrant country.
PM Modi emphasised India’s unwavering commitment to support the efforts of the Government of Afghanistan to this end, as also for the security and sovereignty of Afghanistan.
He unequivocally condemned terrorist attacks and violence in Afghanistan which have caused immense loss of precious human lives and expressed solidarity with the people and national defence forces of Afghanistan in their fight against terrorism.
Expressing satisfaction at the coordination and consultation on activities at various international fora, the two sides agreed to strengthen this cooperation and also to work even more closely with their regional and international partners for prosperity, peace, stability and progress.
