India reiterates support for negotiated political reconciliation in Afghanistan

New Delhi [India], Oct 24 (ANI): India has reiterated its support for a negotiated political reconciliation in Afghanistan that is Afghan led, Afghan owned and Afghan controlled.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who is in New Delhi on a day-long official visit, held detailed discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

The two sides emphasised that renunciation of violence and terror; closure of cross border safe havens and sanctuaries were essential for any meaningful progress and lasting peace.

Deep appreciation was expressed for the bravery with which the Afghan forces were fighting terrorism imposed on Afghanistan.

The Indian side agreed to extend further assistance depending upon the needs of the Afghan defence and police forces.

The support extended by India in the defence and security fields, including training of thousands of Afghan defence and security personnel was positively assessed. The Indian side agreed to extend further assistance depending upon the needs of the Afghan defence and police forces.

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 agreed to further deepen the bilateral strategic dialogue and consultations at all levels in order to achieve the shared objectives.

The two countries also agreed to work closely with the regional and international partners; and consult, coordinate and cooperate in various international fora, with the view to further the objective of seeing Afghanistan emerge as a stable, peaceful, united, progressive, prosperous and pluralistic nation.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to their strategic partnership and positively assessed the outcomes of the recent high level bilateral exchanges, including the visits of Afghanistan's Chief Executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah and Foreign Minister Rabbani to India last month and that of the National Security Adviser of India Ajit Doval to Afghanistan last week.

The New Development Partnership that was launched at the meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council on 11 September was assessed as a significant step in building upon the highly successful development cooperation of the past 16 years.

The new generation India assisted projects, including in the fields of health, agriculture, drinking water supply, education, renewable energy, infrastructure development, skill development and capacity building, among others will further contribute to Afghanistan's reconstruction, economic development and effective governance.

President Ghani also met his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind earlier in the day.

He also met India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and discussed bilateral and regional issues. (ANI)