New Delhi: Afghan President Hamid Karzai will arrive in New Delhi on February 28 on a three-day visit, mainly aimed at carrying forward the new intensity in bilateral relations.

On his second visit to India within a year, Karzai will hold wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on February 28 on the entire gamut of bilateral relations with focus on India's major role in the ongoing reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the war-ravaged country.

The two sides are likely to finalise a preferential trade agreement.

The Iraq crisis is also expected to figure prominently during the talks. Karzai will call on President A P J Abdul Kalam and have meetings with Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha and Leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi.

Since his visit in February last year, there has been intensive bilateral co- operation and political discussions encompassing many areas.

Sinha visited Afghanistan soon after he took over his new portfolio in July last year, which was followed by a visit by Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal.

Over the last year, a number of key Afghan ministers have visited India.

"This visit will prove an occasion to review all these issues as also developments in the region and the world," External Affairs Ministry spokesman told reporters.

India will hand over to the Afghan leader an Airbus, the third one to be gifted by India to Afghan airlines Ariana.

PTI