Modi, Ghani talk strengthening of anti-terror cooperation

The two leaders inaugurated the ministerial deliberations at the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process conference

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday held a bilateral meeting in Amritsar and discussed aspects of strengthening counter-terror cooperation.

"The two leaders discussed several aspects of the close and friendly relations between the two countries," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in a tweet.

He said the leaders also reviewed the progress on recent decisions to deepen bilateral economic cooperation and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

"The two leaders noted with satisfaction the prospects for bilateral relations and agreed that both countries would continue to work even harder for further strengthening them," Swarup said. 

Later, Modi and Ghani jointly inaugurated the ministerial deliberations at the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process conference, which would see the participation of over eight foreign ministers and other dignitaries of 14 participating countries from South and Central Asia and several western countries.

Pakistan's de facto foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz is also attending the two-day meet.

Swarup said both leaders exchanged views on the common threat of terrorism, especially the cross-border nature of the scourge which had caused immense suffering to the people of India and Afghanistan.

"In this context, the two leaders agreed to strengthen counter-terror cooperation between the two countries and enhance coordination at the UN and other relevant fora," Swarup said. 

They also agreed to operationalise the additional amount of $1 billion for bilateral cooperation, especially in capacity building, skill development, infrastructure building and connectivity linkages, including a possible air corridor between India and Afghanistan to overcome obstacles to promotion of bilateral trade, said the tweet.

Ghani noted the convergence of values and interests as exemplified in the strategic partnership.

Recalling his visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Saturday, along with Modi, Ghani said it was a moving experience.

The prime minister expressed the hope that the ministerial conference would be successful in promoting greater cooperation among all concerned for peace, stability and security and development of Afghanistan.