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India, Afghanistan discuss issues of bilateral, regional interets

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, Feb 4, IRNA -- Visiting Afghansitan President Hamid Karzai met President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Thursday.

During his meeting with Singh, the two leaders held detailed discussions covering issues of bilateral and regional interest.

“The Indian side reiterated its long-term commitment to the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan, and to the efforts of the Government of Afghanistan under President Karzai's leadership to build a strong, independent, democratic, peaceful and prosperous nation,” said a joint statement issued after the meeting.

The two leaders agreed that the strategic partnership between India and Afghanistan is a positive factor for peace and stability in the region. In this context, the two leaders also discussed the common threat faced by both their societies from terrorism.

They agreed that this ran counter to the aspiration of their peoples, the joint statement said.

Meanwhile, President Karzai expressed gratitude of the Afghan people for the assistance provided by India over the years.

He underlined the need for the two countries to work together in close cooperation in the interest of the people of the two countries and stability in the region at large.

Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, accepted an invitation from President Karzai to visit Afghanistan at an early date, the statement said.

The visit reflected the close friendship between the people of India and Afghanistan, and the continuing tradition of high-level and frequent consultations between the leaders of the two countries.

Afghan President, who arrived here on Wednesday evening on a two-day visit to India, on Thursday said his country is still far behind in tackling issues of development vis-'-vis sustainable environment.

'I am visiting you here today from a country that has not been talking of sustainable development or development at all for the past thirty years. I am visiting you from a country that has been facing destruction, and elimination of environment, and of human capital in the past thirty years,' said President Karzai, while addressing the delegates at 'Delhi Sustainable Development Summit- 2011' here.