India has time and again reiterated the importance of an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, Afghan-controlled peace process

Strengthening India’s commitment to close neighbor Afghanistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with the Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah on Thursday.

“Strengthening our commitment to our close neighbour. PM @narendramodi met with Dr. Abdullah Abdullah @DrabdullahCE of Afghanistan, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation. He reaffirmed our long term commitment to further deepening India-Afghan ties,” official Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs Anurag Srivastava tweeted.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's commitment towards sustainable peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and welcomed efforts towards a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Afghanistan.

Afghan minister Abdullah after the meeting took to Twitter and said, “Pleased to meet HE Narendra Modi @narendramodi, the Prime Minister of Republic of #India. In our friendly discussion we took stock of the latest developments on the #AfghanPeaceProcess, the talks in Doha, & India’s support for the peace efforts.”


“HE PM assured me of India’s continued support for the peace process, & Afghanistan. I thanked him & the people of India for the invitation, & generous hospitality. I also thanked India for its principled position on the #AfghanPeaceProcess,” he said in another tweet.

The Afghan minister also appreciated Indian’s developmental commitment of US$ 3 billion, projects under which are benefiting Afghans across all of its 34 provinces.

Abdullah, who had arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday, met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Wednesday and both leaders committed to further strengthen peace support. Doval also raised concerns over increased levels of violence across Afghanistan and peace and security in the region.

“Had a constructive discussion with HE Ajit Doval, the NSA of India. We discussed the #AfghanPeaceProcess, & the talks in Doha. He assured me of India’s full support for the peace efforts, & that any peace settlement acceptable to Afghans, will have the support of India,” Abdullah said in a tweet after the meeting.

“He further stated that his country is in favor an independent, democratic, sovereign & peaceful Afghanistan, where no terrorists can operate. I thanked India for the invitation, its continued support for Afghanistan, & its constructive role in peace efforts,” a subsequent tweet read.

The Afghan leader is expected to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday, October 9. Abdullah has visited India for the first time after the formation of the new government in Kabul following last year’s election.

India is one of the largest development partners of Afghanistan with a commitment of more than US $ 3 billion. It has time and again reiterated the importance of an inclusive, Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, Afghan-controlled peace and reconciliation process.

In September, New Delhi attended the intra-Afghanistan peace talks held in Doha, where Joint Secretary JP Singh-led Indian delegation met Abdullah. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar attended the talks virtually.