Narendra Modi vows support for Afghanistan

Kabul, May 28: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to lend its all-round support to Afghanistan under the bilateral partnership agreement between the two countries.

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony Monday and the two leaders held talks Tuesday, Afghanistan Times reported.

During the meeting, they discussed last week's attack on the Indian consulate in the Afghan city of Herat, and Modi praised the timely response of Afghan security forces in repelling the terror strike.

As foreign troops would leave Afghanistan by the end of this year, Karzai said the country will need support of its neighbours, particularly India, to train and equip Afghan security forces.

Besides meeting Modi, Karzai also called on Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.

Karzai termed India as a good friend of Afghanistan and hoped that Modi would work for further expansion of friendly relations between the two countries.

Besides Karzai, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen and Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam also attended the ceremony.

IANS