Afghan President Ghani arrives today, to hold talks with Modi

New Delhi: Afghanistan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani will arrive here today on a working visit to hold discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi covering the whole range of bilateral relations and attend some other programs. Afghanistan has been demanding increased military assistance, including lethal weapons, from India, and last year, New Delhi had delivered Mi-25 attack helicopters to Kabul. Mr Ghani is expected to put further demands before India, especially in view of the increasing violence from Taliban.

During his two-day visit, Mr Ghani will have one-on-one talks with Mr Modi followed by delegation-level talks and signing of agreements. Both leaders will also address a joint media briefing after the talks. This will be followed by his address at India’s one of the leading think tanks on defence and foreign policy, the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) where he is scheduled to interact with military experts.

The upcoming visit will provide an opportunity to continue the close and frequent consultations between the two friendly neighbors, including at the highest level, the Ministry of External Affairs said here. ‘’Such interaction is the hallmark of their strategic partnership and has guided the strengthening of all-round cooperation between the two countries,’’ the MEA said ahead of his visit. (UNI)