Afghanistan Times
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AT-KABUL: President Ashraf Ghani met Indian external affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj in his residence in New Delhi, discussing the US new strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia and the region’s conditions after the after the declaration of the strategy, president’s office said Tuesday.
Ghani left Monday for New Delhi for an official visit.
The two sides called the US strategy useful for the region, according to a statement issued by the president’s office that said Ghani and Swaraj also talked about trade and transit cooperation as well as regional affairs.
President Ghani told Indian external affairs minister that the Kabul-Delhi air corridor was successful, suggesting that India connect Central Asia through a sea corridor.
He termed the role of neighboring countries vital in this respect, saying that a sea corridor between India and Central Asia could turn the region to the center of economic cooperation.
The president asked India to help his country in the sectors of mines, textiles and handicrafts, considering good capacity of Afghan women in handicraft.
Mrs. Swaraj assured Ghani that New Delhi would be a partner for Afghan government and people as it was in the past.
She said that she was happy that India was a strategic partner for Afghanistan, adding that New Delhi wants expansion of relationships in different sectors with Afghanistan.
She touched the Afghan peace process, saying that India aims a sustainable peace in the region which would be ensured through the joint efforts of all regional countries.
