Modi holds talks with Afghan President Karzai

In his first bilateral meeting with international leaders after assuming charge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held talks with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai.

The meeting with Mr. Karzai followed Mr. Modi’s talks with Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom at the ceremonial Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

In their more than half an hour meeting, Mr. Modi and Mr. Karzai discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the wake of NATO combat troops withdrawal from the war-torn country.

Mr. Modi was assisted in the talks by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh among others.

Both Mr. Karzai and Mr. Gayoom arrived on Tuesday along with other SAARC heads of government and states to attend Mr. Modi’s swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

These two meetings will be followed by other bilateral including talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.