Heart of Asia conference: PM Modi, Afghan President Ghani to hold talks today

Amritsar [India], Dec. 4 (ANI): Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. The two countries are likely to finalise broad contours of a bilateral air cargo service pact to boost trade. Ghani arrived in Amritsar yesterday evening to attend the Heart of Asia conference being held in the holy city. Prime Minister Modi and the President visited the Golden Temple here yesterday. During the meeting, Afghanistan is also likely to seek enhanced supply of military hardware from India to strengthen its armed forces. Afghanistan has been trying to revamp its military to fight the Taliban after drawdown of NATO forces which began two years ago. Last week, India had given Afghanistan the last of the four military helicopters. India has trained hundreds of Afghan security personnel. Afghanistan has also been seeking India's assistance in making functional Soviet-era Helicopters and transport aircraft which were not in flying condition. India and Afghanistan have also been exploring various connectivity projects for better bilateral trade. In May, India, Iran and Afghanistan signed an agreement to set-up a trade and transport corridore with Chabahar in Iran as the hub. (ANI)