India, Afghanistan hold talks on regional security, terrorism

India and Afghanistan have held extensive discussions on various aspects of regional security, particularly terrorism, which threatens peace and stability of the region, and also ways and means to strengthen defence capabilities of Afghan security.

Afghan National Security Advisor Hanif Atmar held discussions with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval, an External Affairs Ministry release said on Tuesday.

Atmar, who was here on November 8 and 9, also met Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and attended a discussion in the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.

“During the visit, the two sides discussed various aspects of regional security, particularly terrorism which threatens peace and stability of the region. They also discussed ways and means to enhance cooperation between India and Afghanistan to strengthen the latter’s defence capabilities for safeguarding its security and combating all forms of terrorism,” the release said.

It added that the Indian interlocutors of Atmar reiterated the country’s commitment and support for a united, sovereign, democratic, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan NSA conveyed appreciation of his country’s leadership, its government and the Afghan people for reliable and predictable assistance from India.