Afghan Prez Ghani arriving on Tuesday for crucial working visit

Afghan President Dr Mohammad Ashraf Ghani will be arriving India for a one-day working visit on Tuesday, coinciding with the day the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrives on his maiden visit in the official capacity. According to official sources, during his stay in the capital, Dr Ghani will hold separate and crucial rounds of talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

The visit assumes much significance as the US administration has already given keenness to ensure greater role for India in Afghanistan. Sources said, according to agenda of the visiting dignitary, Ms Swaraj will call on the Afghan President in the morning. This will be followed by meeting between the Afghan President and his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind in the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

After a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and the Afghan President, there will be a delegation-level talks over working lunch, the sources said. Dr Ghani would emplane for his return journey in the evening.