Afghan security, investment dominate Delhi talks

NEW DELHI (PAN, India and the US and on Tuesday discussed the political situation, security, trade and investment in the war-ravaged country, in addition to other issues of common interest.

New Delhi hosted the second round of the India-Afghanistan-US trilateral dialogue. The Afghan delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin, with Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake heading the US team.

 Additional Secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran) YK Sinha led the Indian delegation. Later, the three sides jointly called on Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai.

“India has strategic partnerships with both Afghanistan and the US, and jointly they share a vision of a secure, peaceful, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)  said in a statement.

“The second trilateral dialogue provided a platform for in-depth consultations on issues ranging from political and security spheres to trade, commerce and investment, and other areas of mutual interest,” it added.

The three sides agreed to continue the tripartite process as a vehicle for achieving the shared goal of peace, security and development of Afghanistan, the MEA statement added. The first trilateral dialogue was hosted by Afghanistan in New York on Sept 25, 2012.

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