Abdullah Abdullah, the head of the High Council of National Reconciliation, has met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed the Afghan peace process, said Abdullah's office.
“In our friendly discussion we took stock of the latest developments on the Afghan peace process, the talks in Doha, and India’s support for the peace efforts,” Abdullah said on social media.
Modi has “assured me of India’s continued support for the peace process and Afghanistan,” Abdullah said, adding: “I thanked him and the people of India for the invitation, and generous hospitality. I also thanked India for its principled position on the Afghan peace process.”
Meanwhile, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said that the prime minister in meeting with Abdullah reaffirmed India’s long term commitment to further deepening the historical ties between India and Afghanistan.
“In keeping with the government’s policy of Neighbourhood First, the Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s long term commitment to further deepening the historical ties between India and Afghanistan. The two leaders discussed issues of bilateral and regional interest. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah briefed the Prime Minister on the Afghan peace process and the ongoing talks in Doha,” the statement said.
The statement also said that discussions were held on bilateral issues, including India's development cooperation with Afghanistan.
According to the statement, Abdullah Abdullah appreciated India's development commitment of $3 billion for projects to benefit Afghans across all 34 provinces.
“The Prime Minister reiterated India's commitment towards sustainable peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and welcomed efforts towards a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Afghanistan,” the statement read.
On Wednesday, Abdullah met with Indian national security adviser Ajit Doval in New Delhi and both discussed the Afghan peace process and bilateral relations.
“Had a constructive discussion with Ajit Doval, the NSA of India. We discussed the Afghan Peace Process and the talks in Doha. He assured me of India’s full support for the peace efforts and that any peace settlement acceptable to Afghans will have the support of India,” Abdullah said.
The Indian national security adviser stated that his country is in favor of an independent, democratic, sovereign and peaceful Afghanistan, where no terrorists can operate, said Abdullah's office.
This comes a week after Abdullah visited Pakistan and met with the Pakistani officials about the peace process in Afghanistan.
During Abdullah’s trip, Pakistan also pledged to continue supporting the Afghan peace process.
Abdullah's trip to India and Pakistan comes as negotiators from both sides of the Afghan peace process attempt to finalize their procedural rules for the formal talks.