Article Posted on : - Jul 07, 2009

Army chief Bismillah Khan Mohammadi (R) shakes hands with Indian Army Chief Deepak Kapoor in Delhi. -- APF photo

NEW DELHI (BNS): The Chief of General Staff of Afghan National Army, General Bismillah Khan Mohammadi, has arrived here on a four-day visit during which he is likely to meet several higher defence officials.

On his arrival on Monday, General Mohammadi received the Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns. Prior to it, he paid tribute to martyrs at the ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence.

The Afghan Army Chief also met his Indian counterpart General Deepak Kapoor and discussed several key issues concerning the two countries.

General Mohammadi is scheduled to visit military installations in Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune. He is also likely to visit the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune. The Academy has trained Afghan cadets in the past.

A cultural visit to Taj Mahal has also been planned, the official statement said.

“India shares warm and friendly relations with Afghanistan based on historical ties and traditional linkages. India supports a sovereign, stable, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan and is committed to building strategic partnership in all dimensions to this effect,” the statement said, adding, “With this commitment, regular exchange of visits at political, diplomatic and military level have taken place in the last few years.”