Krishna meets Karzai,expresses India's support for his efforts

Soon after his arrival in Kabul for the International Conference on Afghanistan tomorrow, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna called on Karzai at his fortified Presidential palace.
Krishna reiterated India's support for President Karzai's efforts to bring about peace, stability and development in Afghanistan during the meeting, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash told PTI.

"The meeting was very useful and cordial," he said, adding that during the 45-minute meeting, the two sides conducted extensive exchange of views on bilateral ties and issues of common interests.

Krishna, who is expected to speak at tomorrow's conference, also conveyed the greetings from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the people of India to Karzai.
Earlier, warmly welcoming Krishna to his presidential palace, karzai said: "Warm welcome to you my friend," and also talked about the progress of monsoon in India.

The two leaders engaged in animated talks about the monsoon and rainfall in both countries and how it impacted their agricultural growth.

Krishna also met Afghan National Security Adviser Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta and discussed bilateral ties and regional issues of mutual concern.

They also talked about tomorrow's international meeting, which will be the the largest gathering of foreign leaders in the war-torn nation since the 1970s.

The meeting will take place amid a spurt in suicide bombings and attacks by Taliban on US-led NATO forces, which has suffered the deadliest single month in June when its 79 soldiers died.

The conference is a follow-up to a London summit in January, when donors pledged some USD 160 million for Afghanistan's plans to reintegrate and create jobs for Taliban fighters who renounce violence.