NEW DELHI: Afghanistan's foreign minister arrived in New Delhi to meet senior government ministers on Tuesday, months after his country signed a strategic pact with India.
Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul met his Indian counterpart S M Krishna and the two men are leading the first session of an India-Afghanistan council set up under the agreement.
The strategic pact signed last October was Afghanistan's first with any country and outlined areas of common concern including trade, economic expansion, education, security and politics. Its timing sparked speculation of a shift in regional alignments after Afghan President Hamid Karzai chastised Pakistan for failing to act against Taliban-led insurgents based in Pakistan.
Afghan officials argue that the militant groups, which also seek to overthrow the Afghan government, undermine stability in Afghanistan and the whole region.
India has also accused Pakistan of hosting the militants who have staged attacks on its soil-recriminations that have further strained ties between the two archrivals.
The Afghan minister is also slated to meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and finance and security officials.
India is increasing its participation in Afghanistan development. Indian companies are carrying out several projects in the country and Krishna has said in the past that his nation was committed to staying in the country and helping Afghans as long as the ''legitimately elected'' government of Afghanistan wants.
