Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai arrived in India Sunday on a three-day visit for talks on economic relations, countering terrorism and regional growth. Karzai was received at the airport by India's junior minister for parliamentary affairs, Suresh Pachuri, and senior foreign ministry officials.
"Ties with Afghanistan are very important for us. We have been involved in reconstruction and rehabilitation of Afghanistan and we are committed to helping in any way the Afghans want," said an Indian official on condition of anonymity.
The official said agreements would be signed on rural development and education. Karzai, who was last in India in February 2005, is travelling with a delegation that includes businessmen aiming to expand economic relations, presidential spokesman Khaleeq Ahmad said in Kabul.
"Other issues that will be discussed are the growth of the region, terrorism and how to make this a region where all can prosper and live in peace," he said. The delegation will also visit the southern technology hub of Hyderabad.
Afghanistan's relations with India's long-time rival Pakistan are in tatters after a dispute over militants whom Kabul says are plotting an insurgency from Pakistani soil.
Afghan and foreign troops are battling an insurgency launched by the Islamist Taleban movement after it was removed from power in late 2001 for failing to surrender Osama bin Laden following the September 11 attacks.
Afghan officials in February handed their counterparts in Islamabad intelligence about Taleban and al Qaeda militants whom they said were based in Pakistan and engineering the insurgency in Afghanistan.
Pakistan dismissed the information as outdated and "ridiculous" and President Pervez Musharraf alleged Afghan intelligence was influenced by India.
Last August Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh became the first Indian premier to visit Afghanistan since 1976. During his two-day stay he pledged with Karzai to battle rising violence in Afghanistan.
India backed the Northern Alliance in its fight against the Taleban, who were supported by Pakistan until 2001.
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