Herat attack serves to improve ties: Modi

He reiterated India’s commitment to the development and reconstruction of Afghanistan and its interest in seeing a prosperous, independent and sovereign Afghanistan, where the reconciliation process would be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled, said Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.

Parrying questions on Karzai’s remarks that Lashkar-e-Toiba was behind the attack on the Indian Consulate and if it had been raised in the meeting Singh said, “Yes. There was a discussion (on terror attack) and the views of Afghan President were in the public domain.”

Asked about India’s view on withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan, which was a matter of security concern for the international community, Singh said, “We are deeply involved…including training Afghan national security forces and we expect the cooperation to increase in coming days”.

The Foreign Secretary asserted that Afghan forces will be able to protect the country and the way they have done during the recent Herat attack.

Teesta issue raised at Modi’s meeting with Bangla Speaker

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Bangladesh Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and appreciated the cooperation extended to working together with India in all areas of mutual interest, including security, power, border management, rail and road transport. He expressed commitment of the Government of India to maintain and build upon the momentum that has characterised India-Bangladesh relations in recent years. Asked if the issue of the Teesta agreement was raised, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh said, “The Teesta was raised and the Prime Minister said he will see how he can do that.” ENS

PM promises support to Maldives in petroleum, natural gas sectors

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldives President Abdulla Yameen agreed that each side would continue to be sensitive to the concerns of the other and not allow their territories to be used by any quarter for any activity inimical to the other. Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh said they also discussed ways to strengthen investment and trade cooperation. Modi stressed on the importance attached by India to its relations with the Maldives. He also expressed his government’s support for cooperation in the petroleum and natural gas sector as well as in tourism and education sectors.ENS