Our Correspondent / NEW DELHI
India and Afghanistan today agreed to work closely with the regional and international partners to further the objective of seeing Afghanistan emerge as a stable, peaceful, united, progressive, prosperous and pluralistic nation.
The two sides also decided to consult, coordinate and cooperate in various international fora. They reiterated their commitment to strategic partnership and positively assessed the outcomes of the recent high level bilateral exchanges.
This was President Ghani’s fourth visit to India in the last 3 years and 12th personal interaction between the two Leaders. He held delegation level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and the leaders reviewed the entire gamut of multifaceted bilateral strategic partnership.
Earlier, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani met President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
External Affairs Ministry in a release said, the New Development Partnership launched at the meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council on 11th of last month was assessed as a significant step in building upon the highly successful development cooperation of the past 16 years. India assisted projects will further contribute to Afghanistan’s reconstruction, economic development and effective governance.
Deep appreciation was expressed for the bravery with which the Afghan forces are fighting terrorism imposed on Afghanistan. The Indian side agreed to extend further extend need based assistance to Afghan defence and police forces.
The Indian leadership reiterated its support for Afghan led, Afghan owned and Afghan controlled reconciliation. It was emphasised that renunciation of violence and terror and closure of cross border safe havens and sanctuaries were essential for any meaningful progress and lasting peace.
Both sides agreed that the recent convergence and alignment of views at regional and international arenas have created opportunities for bringing peace, security and stability in Afghanistan.
It was also agreed to further deepen the bilateral strategic dialogue and consultations at all levels in order to achieve the shared objectives.
Issues related to connectivity were discussed in detail.
The establishment of the air freight corridor was acknowledged as an important factor in providing Afghan farmers a direct and easy access to the Indian market.
The efforts for early operationalisation of the Chahbahar Port, including the shipments of wheat in coming weeks to Afghanistan through the Port would shape new trade and transit opportunities for landlocked Afghanistan.
The Indian side reiterated the readiness of its Integrated Check Post at Attari for receiving Afghan trucks carrying goods to and from India.