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Afghanistan refers to India, China as 'old friends & good neighbours' at first trilateral meeting

WION
New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaWritten By: Sidhant SibalUpdated: Mar 02, 2019, 09:22 PM IST
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First trilateral meeting between Afghanistan, India and China. (Image courtesy: Afghan foreign ministry) Photograph:(Others)

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The meeting was headed by Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister for political affairs Idrees Zaman. Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar and Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Liu Jinsong also participated.

The first trilateral meeting between Afghanistan, India and China took place in Kabul on Saturday. 

The meeting was headed by Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister for political affairs Idrees Zaman. Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar and Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Liu Jinsong also participated.

Calling China and India as, "old friends and good neighbours" of Afghanistan, Idrees Zaman said his country counts on both. 

Zaman said, "that the three countries should further focus on training civil and military personnel, mining, increased energy production, agriculture and transportation development, regional connectivity, establishing a joint chamber of commerce between the three countries, and areas of mutual economic interest."

According to a statement from Afghan foreign ministry, Indian and Chinese ambassadors appreciated their contribution in holding the meeting and added both New Delhi and Bejing "are ready for necessary cooperation in the mentioned areas."

The meet is significant since India, China are increasing there cooperation for Afghanistan's development. 

After the informal Wuhan Summit, last year in April between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, both New Delhi and Beijing jointly agreed to train Afghan diplomats.

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Sidhant Sibal

Sidhant Sibal is the principal diplomatic correspondent for WION. When he is not working, you will find him playing with his dog.