Hamid Karzai on four-day India visit from December 12

NEW DELHI: Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai will arrive to India on Thursday on a four-day visit during which he is expected to press for supply of military hardware by India to strengthen the war-torn country's security ahead of the withdrawal of NATO forces by next year.

He will hold talks with top leadership including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and is also likely to seek greater cooperation among the countries of the region.

The Afghan President has been pressing India for military supplies, both lethal and non-lethal, a demand which is being considered by the government here.

Karzai's visit, his 14th in 12 years and third within a year, comes at a time when his country is facing the drawdown of NATO troops, uncertainty over its signing the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) with the US and just a few months to go for the elections.

India has invested around $2 billion in aid and reconstruction process in the war-torn country.

Afghan Ambassador Shaida M Abdali said Karzai will apprise the Indian leadership about the current situation in the country, particularly the peace process and also discuss on what would be the way ahead for the country.

"President is coming to India in this crucial period of history to apprise the Indian leadership on the current situation in Afghanistan, ground realities and to think far ahead, given the significance of the ties now, in 2014 and beyond," Abdali said.

He said it was imperative for the two countries to cooperate in all areas, including in security and defence.

Officials here said Afghanistan's demand for supply of military equipment was being considered.

Talking about Afghanistan's defence and security needs, Abdali said, "We do have a foundation that needs supporting roles. That is why there is a transition right now. Transition needs Afghan forces to be responsible for security and supported by outside from countries, including India."

India has invested $2 billion in aid and reconstruction and trained scores of Afghan officers, but has so far stopped short of arms transfers for fear of provoking Pakistan, as well as armed groups in Afghanistan.