India to increase assistance to Afghan defence forces
India agreed to provide more assistance to Afghan defence forces during a meeting between external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and her Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani on Monday.
The two also reviewed the security situation in the war-torn country and discussed regional security. Asserting that its relationship with Afghanistan is an “article of faith” for India, Swaraj said the two countries remain united in overcoming challenges posed by cross-border terrorism and safe havens and sanctuaries.
Addressing a joint press meet after co-chairing the Indo-Afghan strategic partnership council with Swaraj, Rabbani said India and Afghanistan have agreed to strengthen security cooperation.
Afghanistan has long been pressing for greater Indian assistance in defence supplies and capacity building.
He also asserted that his country’s friendship with India does not mean hostility to any other country.
The two sides inked four pacts after the meeting, including a motor vehicles agreement and a fresh document on India’s development assistance.
“We jointly agreed to embark on a New Development Partnership in keeping with the priorities of Afghanistan..116 new high Impact development projects would be jointly implemented that would bring socio-economic and infrastructure development,” Swaraj said.