India's prime minister is heading to Afghanistan to reassert New Delhi's commitment to help stabilise the war-torn country, a top government official said Wednesday. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's trip comes as the US faces increasing pressure to withdraw troops following the killing of Osama bin Laden, leaving Afghanistan more reliant on the help of regional allies.
Singh will visit Kabul in the next few days for talks with President Hamid Karzai on regional stability, the official said. "The talks will review security issues in the region and how the two sides can consolidate their strategic partnership," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the visit.
The dates for Singh's visit are not being made public due to heightened security concerns since bin Laden's killing. India has become a key Karzai ally since the fall of the Taliban regime, spending more than $1.3 billion in Afghanistan to help build highways, hospitals and the electricity grid. It has also helped the Afghan government rebuild its police forces, judiciary and diplomatic services. Singh last visited Afghanistan in 2005, but Karzai has been a frequent visitor to India. The Afghan president, who earned his college degree in India, has visited New Delhi a half dozen times in the past few years.
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