Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday discussed a range of bilateral, regional and global issues and expressed their "firm resolve" to end the menace of terrorism.
The two leaders also discussed ways to further the shared objective of promoting security and stability in Afghanistan.
"Furthering 'neighbourhood first' policy with a strategic partner. Prime Minister Modi receives president Ghani at Hyderabad House," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
"Prime Minister Modi and president Ghani discussed range of bilateral, regional and global issues, express firm resolve to end menace of terrorism," he added.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on Ghani, who is here on a one-day working visit.
Ghani also met his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind. Welcoming the Afghan President to India, President Ram Nath Kovind also condemned the series of terror attacks in his country, including in the provinces of Kabul, Kandahar, Ghazni and Paktia, that have resulted in over 200 people being killed in the past week.
Kovind expressed admiration for the astute leadership that Ghani has provided to Afghanistan through difficult times and commended the Afghan President for strengthening bilateral relations between India and Afghanistan.
Kovind added that India itself has been victim of state-sponsored, cross-border terrorism for decades.
"We can fully empathise with the ongoing quest of the Afghan people to secure peace.
"India believes that whatever initiatives are taken for bringing peace in Afghanistan should be Afghan-led and Afghan-controlled," he said.
His comments come days after Afghanistan participated in the 6th Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) meeting along with the US, China and Pakistan in Muscat, Oman, on October 16 to revive stalled peace talks with the Taliban.
Ahead of his visit, the ministry had said both sides will have the opportunity to review the entire gamut of multifaceted bilateral strategic partnership, including the New Development Partnership. They would hold consultations and coordinate on furthering the shared objective of promoting peace, security, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan and efforts to combat the menace of terrorism.
