Kabul. India and Afghanistan have resolved to work for a stable, peaceful and prosperous region free from terrorism and extremism.

The two sides decided this in the Third Meeting of Joint Working Group (JWG) on Political and Security Cooperation between India and Afghanistan which was held in Kabul on September 10. Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Hekmat Khalil Karzai and Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale co-chaired the meeting.

The outcome of the First and Second meetings of the JWG were reviewed and assessed positively. Both sides stressed the need to continue working together towards a stable, peaceful and prosperous region that is free from terrorism and extremism.

The two groups discussed Indian assistance to Afghanistan and regional issues of mutual interest to the two countries. They also agreed that bilateral cooperation between India and Afghanistan further strengthens political and economic stability in the region.

Both sides agreed to strengthen security cooperation between the two countries. The Indian side reiterated its support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.

They expressed satisfaction over the successful completion of several development projects such as the Afghan Parliament building, Storay Palace, Afghan-India Friendship Dam. The two groups agreed to further enhance their development cooperation, including high impact community development projects and infrastructure projects under the New Development Partnership.

Both the parties of talks also agreed to hold the fourth meeting of Joint Working Group on Political and Security Cooperation between India and Afghanistan in New Delhi on mutually convenient dates in 2019.