Afghan envoy, Indian army chief talk defence cooperation

India has promised continued support to Afghanistan, particularly to its security forces, reports a media outlet.

India’s Chief of Army Staff Gen. MM Naravane held out the assurance at a meeting with Afghan Ambassador Farid Mamundzay on Wednesday.

The Press Trust of India reported the two sides conferred on bilateral defence cooperation, particularly Afghan forces’ capacity building.

India’s medical support in treating the wounded Afghan security personnel also figured at the meeting, PTI quoted unnamed sources as saying.

India vowed continued support to the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF), the news agency asses.

Meanwhile, the diplomat tweeted: “The Afghan security forces have developed great capacity and strength over the past 20 years.”

Mamundzay wrote: “NDSF still require timely support to further build professional, capable and self-sustaining security forces. Thank you, India & COAS Gen. Naravane for supporting ANDSF.”

India’s commitment comes as US troops are preparing to exit Afghanistan by September 11, after 20 years of deployment in Afghanistan.