Strategic ties with Afghanistan will be strengthened further: PM

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh conveyed India's "unwavering commitment" to assisting Afghanistan in its efforts to build a peaceful, democratic and prosperous country and hoped the strategic bilateral partnership would be further strengthened in the critical period ahead.

The assurance was given by the Prime Minister when Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul called on him at his residence here.

"He (Singh) reiterated India's unwavering commitment to assisting the government and people of Afghanistan in their endeavour to build a peaceful, stable, democratic and prosperous country," a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Singh welcomed the holding of the first session of the India- Afghanistan Partnership Council and expressed the hope that the strategic partnership between India and Afghanistan would be further strengthened in the critical period ahead.

The Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes to President Hamid Karzai and other leaders of Afghanistan.

On his part, Rassoul expressed his country's deep appreciation for India's friendship, generous assistance and the crucial role it is playing in the process of stabilisation, reconstruction and economic development of Afghanistan, the statement said.

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and Rassoul co-chaired the inaugural session of the India-Afghanistan Partnership Council which has been mandated to implement the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by Singh and Karzai in October 2011.

Besides his meeting with Singh, during which they discussed a range of bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest, Rassoul also held parleys with Krishna and National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon.