Sunday, July 3 2005 15:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India and Afghanistan today (July 3, 2005) discussed the security situation in the war-ravaged country, especially the recent spurt in incidents of violence attributed to the Taliban.

This figured during wide-ranging talks External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh had with visiting Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah on the entire gamut of bilateral ties and regional and international issues of mutual concern.

There have been growing concern over the re-emergence of Taliban elements in Afghanistan. Fighting in central Afghanistan last week has left 25 people dead, including nine tribal elders who Taliban rebels kidnapped and executed.

Violence in the last three months has taken a toll of 477 suspected insurgents, 47 Afghan police and soldiers, 134 civilians, and 45 US troops, including 16 troops killed in a helicopter crash in Eastern Afghanistan.

During the parleys, Singh reaffirmed India's commitment to reconstruction of Afghanistan through its $500 million debt programme, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said in New Delhi.

The two leaders also discussed the regional situation and Afghanistan-US strategic partnership that was signed on May 23 in Washington.

Singh thanked Afghanistan for co-sponsoring the G-4 resolution mooted by India, Brazil, Germany and Japan, for increasing the strengthen of the UN Security Council from 15 to 25 with six new permanent members of which two should represent Africa.

Singh also thanked Kabul for its understanding and constructive role played in the OIC, Sarna said.

Abdullah's trip takes place ahead of next month's visit to Afghanistan by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the first to that country since he assumed office last year.

Official sources indicated that the Prime Minister will undertake the trip after August 15. He will meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai and top leaders during his stay in Kabul.

Abdullah will call on the Prime Minister tomorrow (July 4, 2005).

India has been a major contributor in the rebuilding and reconstruction efforts being undertaken on a large scale in Afghanistan.

The Afghan Minister's visit is part of the continuing high-level interactions between the two countries.

Bilateral relations between the two countries have attained a high level of cooperation in the last three years.

Natwar Singh had visited Kabul in February this year during which India pledged continued assistance to Afghanistan in its rebuilding, including that of its Army, and offered to train its doctors and paramedics.