Afghan Prez Ghani's India visit to review partnership, take steps to combat terrorism

New Delhi, Oct 23: India and Afghanistan will review "entire gamut of multifaceted bilateral strategic partnership" during the one day working visit of Afghanistan President Dr Mohammad Ashraf Ghani here on Tuesday. "The invitation on behalf of Prime Minister Modi for President Ghani to visit India was extended by the National Security Adviser Ajit Doval when the latter visited Kabul on October 16," a MEA statement said here on Monday. "Both sides will have the opportunity to review the entire gamut of multifaceted bilateral strategic partnership, including the New Development Partnership; hold consultations and coordinate on furthering the shared objective of promoting peace, security, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan," the statement said. Dr Ghani's deliberations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi will also make efforts to combat the menace of terrorism and discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest. The visit will build upon the recent high level bilateral exchanges between the two countries, including the recent visits of Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive of Afghanistan on September 27-29 and that of the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Salahuddin Rabbani last month. President Ghani will be arriving India for one day working visit coinciding with the day US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrives on his maiden visit. Dr Ghani will also give a public address at Vivekanand International Foundation. During his stay in the capital, Dr Ghani will hold separate and crucial rounds of talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, sources said. The visit assumes much significance as the US administration has already given keenness to ensure greater role for India in Afghanistan. Sources said, according to agenda of the visiting dignitary, Ms Swaraj will call on the Afghan President in the morning. This will be followed by meeting between the Afghan President and his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. After a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and the Afghan President, there will be a delegation-level talks over working lunch, the sources said. UNI