India committed to building peaceful Afghanistan: Modi
An agreement for visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders of the two countries was exchanged in the presence of Modi and Abdullah Abdullah
NEW DELHI: 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-i-Sharif on January 4-5, 2016,” the external af- fairs 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 Modi to Afghanistan in December last year.
During 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 Modi and Abdullah Abdullah.
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.
Swaraj informed 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 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.
Abdullah, who arrived here on Sunday, is in India primarily to attend a conference on counterterrorism in Jaipur organised by India Foundation in association with Sardar Patel University of Police Security and Criminal Justice.