India approves more projects in Afghanistan

New Delhi, Feb 1: India on Monday approved the third phase of 92 small development projects in Afghanistan. This was announced after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met Afghan Chief Executive Officer and Head of the Council of Ministers Abdullah Abdullah here.

External affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted that Sushma Swaraj had approved the “strategic partnership for the benefit of (Afghan) people”. Earlier, Abdullah Abdullah called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
An agreement that will allow visa-free travel for diplomats of the two countries was signed in the presence of Modi and Abdullah Abdullah.

Abdullah Abdullah, who arrived here on Sunday on a five-day visit to India, will leave for Jaipur on Tuesday where he will attend a conference on counter-terrorism.

His visit to India comes in the wake of Modi’s visit to Kabul in December when the new Afghan parliament building, constructed with India’s aid, was inaugurated. (IANS)