PTI
New Delhi, Apr 11: Sharing concerns over recent spurt in terrorism in Afghanistan, India and Afghanistan on Monday agreed on a collective fight against the menace and sought Pakistan’s cooperation.
With Pakistan continuing to deny transit facility to Indian goods destined for Afghanistan, Kabul proposed that India set up production facilities in that country for catering to the host nation and Central Asia.
During the 90-minute talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, India raised concerns over security of hundreds of its personnel engaged in reconstruction and other projects in Afghanistan and received assurances of their safety from Kabul.
Addressing a joint press conference with Karzai after the talks, Singh announced an Indian assistance of $50 million (approx Rs 225 crore) to Afghanistan, taking the total aid to the war-torn country to $650 million (approx Rs 2,700 crore). New Delhi offered another $50 million as Line of Credit.
Noting that terrorism had afflicted both India and Afghanistan for several years and even Pakistan was not immune to it, Singh and Karzai agreed that it needed to be fought collectively as it posed a "great threat to the civilization."