NEW DELHI, 4 July 2005 — The ecurity situation in Afghanistan was focused upon yesterday during the wide-ranging talks between External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh and the visiting Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah. They also touched upon issues of mutual concern, including bilateral ties and regional and international issue.
Abdullah arrived here yesterday morning on a two-day official visit.
During the talks, India reaffirmed its commitment to the reconstruction of war-torn Afghanistan through its $500 million debt program.
The security situation in Afghanistan has of late hit the headlines because of the recent spurt in violence attributed to the Taleban. Over the last three months, violence has taken a toll of 477 suspected insurgents, 47 Afghan police and soldiers, 134 civilians, and 45 US troops, including 16 troops killed in a helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan.
The two ministers also discussed the regional situation and Afghanistan-US strategic partnership, which was signed in Washington on May 3.
Natwar thanked Afghanistan for cosponsoring the G-4 framework resolution and also for its constructive role in the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
Abdullah’s visit is a part of the continuing high-level interaction between the two countries, which has given bilateral relations a big boost, officials said.
Abdullah will also call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today. Manmohan is expected to visit Afghanistan in September.
The external affairs minister briefly visited Kabul on Feb. 15 on his way to Pakistan. He called on Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, King Zahir Shah and had a meeting with Abdullah.
During his visit, Natwar gifted more than 100 army vehicles, which were part of the 285 vehicles that India has committed, to the Afghan National Army.
Besides, India is constructing Afghanistan’s Parliament House and helping rebuild other infrastructure.
