India, Af to ink four pacts during Karzai's visit

Four pacts are expected to be inked between India and Afghanistan, including one in the mining field during the visit of Afghan President Hamid Karzai from November 9.

The two countries will also explore the posibility of increased role of New Delhi in training of security forces of the war-torn country during the four-day visit.

Karzai, who will begin his tour from Mumbai, will interact with the business community there and seek greater investment in his country in various sectors.

Briefing the reporters on the Presidential visit, Afghan Ambassador Shaida Mohammad Abdali said here, Karzai was coming to India at “a critical time” as international combat troops prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan by 2014.

Karzai will also deliver the annual Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad annual lecture on November 11.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Karzai will hold wide- ranging talks, including on regional security situation and safety of Indian nationals and Indian projects on November 12 here.

The two leaders will discuss a range of key issues of mutual interest, Abdali said, adding efforts to intensify the India-Afghanistan strategic dialogue on bilateral and regional issues will also be made by the Afghan side. Four MoUs will be signed between the two countries in areas of mines, youth affairs, small development projects and fertilizers, he said.

Indicating that the two sides will also explore ways to step up Indian training for Afghan side.