India to host second trilateral dialogue with US, Afghanistan

WASHINGTON: India will host the second tri- lateral dialogue with US and Afghanistan next week, which among other things will focus on co-operation between the three countries post-2014 when the US forces are scheduled to hand over control for security operations to Afghan forces.

The US delegation, led by Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake, would include Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Dan Feldman, the State Department said in a statement yesterday.

The day-long meeting would be held on February 19. "The United States, India and Afghanistan all share a common vision for a strong, peaceful, and prosperous region and have pledged to work together on common challenges and opportunities including combating violent extremism, strengthening cultural exchanges and increasing regional trade and economic integration," the statement said.

"The trilateral reflects our mutual commitments to transparency and coordination as Afghanistan continues with it ongoing security, economic and political transitions," it said.

The meeting follows the inaugural trilateral consultations held at the Afghan Mission in New York City on September 25, 2012.

After New Delhi, Blake will travel to Tajikistan on February 20 leading a US delegation for the mid-year review of the US-Tajikistan Annual Bilateral Consultations.

In Tajik capital Dushanbe, Blake will also meet senior government officials, local business representatives, and civil society leaders