External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday conveyed to Afghan Defence Minister Tariq Shah Bahrami India ‘s full support for the efforts of the Ashraf Ghani regime and the people of the war-torn country to build a peaceful, secure, stable, united, inclusive and prosperous nation.
India was committed to its new development partnership with Afghanistan according to its priorities, she said at a meeting here. The Afghan leader is here for the ‘DefEXPO 2018’ being held near Chennai.
The Afghan minister apprised Swaraj about Afghanistan’s internal reconciliation process and efforts to combat cross-border terrorism.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Bahrami shared his assessment of Afghan government’s recent initiatives for internal reconciliation, and efforts to combat terrorism, which receives support from safe havens and sanctuaries beyond Afghanistan, an oblique reference to Pakistan.
It said the Afghan minister also “highlighted” that the Afghan people and the government would like India to continue to play a “greater role” in the country.
Bahrami talked about efforts being made by Kabul to combat the menace of opium cultivation and drugs trafficking that funds terror against the people of Afghanistan, the ministry said in a statement.
“Afghanistan deeply appreciated the positive and constructive support extended by India for economic development and reconstruction in Afghanistan and to the Afghan National Defence and Security forces,” the MEA said.
Swaraj appreciated the courage with which the Afghan forces were defending their country and making supreme sacrifices. ‘’She conveyed India’s support for the efforts of the government and the people of Afghanistan for building a peaceful, secure, stable, united, inclusive and prosperous nation. India remains committed to its New Development Partnership according to the priorities of Afghanistan,” the MEA said.