India ready to help exploit Afghan minerals

KABUL in future and was ready for cooperation to develop the war-torn country’s mineral resources.

Dr. S. Jaishankar called on President Ashraf Ghani at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, a statement from the palace said.

Jaishankar extended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s condolences to the president over the recent natural calamity in Afghanistan and announced India’s readiness in assisting with relief effort.

Avalanches and rains killed about 250 people in central Panjsher province alone. Indian PM Narendra Modi had written to President Ghani to condole the loss of lives in avalanches and offered help in rescue and relief efforts.

The visiting Indian official also welcomed recent political developments in Afghanistan and said India was ready to help Afghanistan exploit its sub-soil assets.

President Ghani said India was a major focus of Afghanistan’s foreign policy and hoped strategic relations between the two countries would further improve in the future.

Jaishankar said global terrorism was changing its form and a strong regional and global commitment was needed to tackle the menace.

President Ghani also invited India’s public and private companies for investment in Afghanistan’s mines, the statement said.

Jaishankar arrived in Kabul as part of his ‘SAARC Yatra’ aimed at firming up India’s ties with members of the grouping while reviewing regional and bilateral cooperation, the Indian High Commission in Kabul tweeted.

Jaishankar, who flew into Kabul from Islamabad, was received by senior Afghan officials and Indian High Commissioner Amar Sinha at the airport.

hg/ma

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