President Ashraf Ghani in India for strategic talks
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NEW DELHI - President Ashraf Ghani arrived in India early Tuesday and met with the Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and discussed bilateral strategic partnerships, the president’s office said in a statement.
Ghani was received by India’s State Minister of Defense and other high-ranking officials at the Delhi military airport on arrival.
Ghani discussed the expansion of economic cooperation, investments, transit, regional connectivity and fighting terrorism with Swaraj.
His trip comes a day after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson paid a fleeting visit to Afghanistan. However, Tillerson will visit India on Wednesday where he will hold talks with officials on US President Donald Trump’s new strategy for South Asia and Afghanistan.
On Monday, Tillerson visited Bagram air base, outside Kabul and met with Ghani, CEO Abdullah Abdullah and national security advisor Hanif Atmar.
The US embassy in Kabul confirmed the visit and said Ghani and Tillerson reaffirmed the US-Afghan commitment to achieving peace, stability and long-term prosperity in Afghanistan.
“The secretary stated that the new US strategy for South Asia makes clear the United States’ commitment to working with the government of Afghanistan and with partners across the region to achieve peace in Afghanistan and deny safe havens to terrorists who threaten that goal,” a press release issued by the US embassy said.
“President Ghani reiterated his support for the new US strategy and emphasized his government’s commitment to reforms aimed at ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of all Afghans.”
According to a government source the discussions centered around counterterrorism, the new US strategy on Afghanistan, the peace process and bilateral relations.
