Article Posted on : - Jun 01, 2011

A file photo.

NEW DELHI (PTI): Amid concerns over spurt in terror activities emanating from Pakistan, Afghan Defence Minister General Abdul Rahim Wardak will discuss situation in the region and security ties with India during his three-day visit starting Wednesday.

"Accompanied by a high-level delegation, Gen Wardak will hold talks with Defence Minister A K Antony where issues of bilateral cooperation including capacity building of the Afghan security forces are likely to be discussed," Defence Ministry officials said here.

The meeting assumes significance against the backdrop of increasing terror activities in Pakistan and the killing of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad.

India has been actively involved in the modernisation programmes in Afghanistan and is viewed as one of its trusted allies pushing for closer security ties with the war-torn nation.

There have been periodic exchanges between the Armed Forces of the two countries since General Wardak last visited India in April, 2008. The Afghan Chief of General Staff, Gen Sher Mohammad Karimi had visited India in October last year.

India has carried modernisation tasks worth over USD 1 billion after the Hamid Karzai government took over power there.

The visit of Afghan Defence Minister to India marks another step in the steady progress in bilateral relations, particularly as his visit comes soon after the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's tour there earlier this month, officials said.