NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday offered a fresh $1 billion aid to Afghanistan as the two countries expressed concern over the use of terror to achieve political objectives in a message aimed at Pakistan.
PM Narendra Modi and Afghan president Ashraf Ghani held wide-ranging discussions on counter-terrorism, connectivity and capacity building and also inked three agreements, including the extradition treaty.
This was the eighth meeting between the two leaders and Ghani’s growing disillusionment with Pakistan was reflected in the talks. “The two leaders discussed the regional situation and expressed grave concern at the continued use of terrorism and violence in the region for achieving political objectives,” read a joint statement issued after the meeting.
Though Pakistan was not named, the joint statement said that “there should be elimination of all forms of terror, without any discrimination”, and exhorted “the concerned” to put an end to all “sponsorship, support, safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists, including those who target Afghanistan and India.”
Foreign secretary S Jaishankar said, “The leaders agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond.” India also announced $1 billion to Afghanistan for capacity and capability building.
{{/usCountry}}Foreign secretary S Jaishankar said, “The leaders agreed that this phenomenon presented the single biggest threat to peace, stability and progress in the region and beyond.” India also announced $1 billion to Afghanistan for capacity and capability building.
{{/usCountry}}When asked if India conceded to long-pending demand of Afghanistan to step up defence supply, Jaishankar said, “Both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to counter-terrorism and strengthen security and defence cooperation as envisaged in the India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement.”
Modi proposed to supply affordable medicines to Afghanistan and cooperation in solar energy through mutually agreed instruments. Jaishankar also talked about India’s offer to supply 1.75 lakh tonnes of wheat.