Afghan army chief arrives on 4-day visit

General Bismillah Khan Mohammadi, Chief of General Staff of the Afghan National Army, arrived here today on a four-day official visit to India.

The general was given a guard of honour on his arrival at the South Block lawns, outside the Ministry of Defence. Before that, he paid tributes to martyrs at the "Amar Jawan Jyoti" at India Gate.

A Defence Ministry statement noted that India shared warm and friendly relations with Afghanistan, based on historical ties and traditional linkages. India supports a sovereign, stable, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan and is committed to building strategic partnership in all dimensions to this effect.

Gen Mohammadi's visit is part of the regular exchange of visits that take place between the two countries at the political, diplomatic and military levels.

During the visit, he is likely to interact with senior military and civilian defence officials to discuss various contemporary issues. He is also likely to visit the Taj Mahal at Agra, the statement added.

NNN