External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani, co-chairing the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council, deliberated extensively on security related challenges, noting that terrorism was the greatest threat to peace and stability in the region and beyond.
"We remain united in overcoming the challenges posed by cross-border terrorism and safe havens and sanctuaries to both our countries," Swaraj said at a joint media briefing with Rabbani.
"India agreed to extend further assistance for the Afghan national defence and security forces in fighting the scourge of terrorism, organised crime, trafficking of narcotics and money laundering," the statement said.
Afghanistan has faced a wave of terror attacks in the last few months and the proposed reconciliation and peace process is yet to make any progress.
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Talking about India's development assistance to the war- ravaged country, Swaraj said 116 new "high impact" development projects would be implemented jointly in 31 provinces of Afghanistan. The projects will be part of a next generation 'New Development Partnership'.
"The Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister emphasised that the two nations enjoyed a time-tested and friendly relationship and reiterated India's abiding support for a united, sovereign, democratic, peaceful, stable, prosperous and pluralistic Afghanistan," said the statement.
In the talks, the Indian side reiterated its support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.
"We support national peace and reconciliation in an atmosphere free from violence and within the framework of Afghanistan's Constitution," Swaraj said, reiterating that India would continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Afghanistan in realising their dreams.
Rabbani thanked India for its unflinching support for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
India has already invested over USD 2 billion in the reconstruction of Afghanistan in the last 15 years but has been adopting a cautious approach in supplying military hardware.
India has given four military helicopters to Afghanistan and imparted training to hundreds of Afghan security personnel.
Rabbani said the current regional situation brings Afghanistan and India closer to achieve their socio-economic goal and protect citizens.
"The enabling environment for terrorism is directly linked to continued support they receive from outside of Afghanistan," he said.
He said Afghanistan's friendship with India or any other country does not mean hostility with others in the neighbourhood.
"Unlike others, Afghanistan has hardly sought security in the insecurity of others," he said.
Afghanistan, Rabbani added, is a landlocked country and its peace and prosperity are dependent on "those of our neighbours near and extended".
"That is why we reject zero sum approaches that undermine our collective security today and the years to come."
The joint statement said liberalisation of visa measures by India for Afghan nationals, including the decision to grant up to five-year multiple entry business visas, was welcomed as a measure that would promote bilateral trade and commerce.