New York: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, during which the latter expressed great concern over the increased cross-border infiltration and sought help from the international community to stop the menace.

During the half-an-hour meeting with Vajpayee, Karzai said it would negatively impact the successful efforts being made to stabilise the country unless international community pays attention to the problem.

The two leaders discussed bilateral and international issues in depth in the meeting held on September 23 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session.

Besides Karzai, Vajpayee also met Portuguese Prime Minister J M Barroso and Sri Lankan Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Vajpayee and Barroso decided on the setting up of a Joint Committee to strengthen economic co- operation and explore new areas and methods for diversification. They stressed on the need for co- operation in combating terrorism, with Borroso expressing strong commitment to fight the menace.

They also emphasised the need for further strengthening of bilateral relations and to maintain closer contacts. Both sides are working on an extradition treaty and the issue came up during the discussions.

Wickremesinghe briefed Vajpayee on the current status of the peace process and the two leaders discussed strengthening of bilateral relations, particularly in the economic field.

They also discussed the forthcoming visit of Wickremesinghe to India next month.

PTI