Afghan President meets President Patil, PM during Delhi visit

New Delhi, Feb 3 (ANI): Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai met President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and Prime Minister Dr. anmohan Singh here on Thursday during his two-day visit to India

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.

During his meeting with Dr. 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.

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, Ministry of External Affairs reports.

President Karzai expressed gratitude of the Afghan people for the assistance provided by India over the years. He underlined the need for the two nations 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 Dr. Manmohan Singh accepted an invitation from President Karzai to visit Afghanistan at an early date. (ANI)