External Affairs Minister Smt Sushma Swaraj met the visiting Minister of National Defence of Afghanistan Lt. General Tariq Shah Bahrami today.
They exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan. Afghan Defence Minister shared his assessment of the recent initiatives of the Government of Afghanistan for internal reconciliation; efforts to combat terrorism which receives support from safe havens sanctuaries
beyond Afghanistan; and efforts to combat the menace of opium cultivation and drugs trafficking which goes into funding terrorism against the people of Afghanistan. The National Defence Minister of 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. He highlighted that the people and the Government of Afghanistan would like India to continue to play greater role
in Afghanistan.
EAM appreciated the courage with which the Afghan Defence 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.
Defence Minister of Afghanistan is visiting India for the DefEXPO 2018. He had earlier met Raksha Mantri.
New Delhi
April 13, 2018