New U.S. policy is game changer: Ghani

Holds talks with Prime Minister Modi and officials ahead of crucial visit of U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Delhi

   

Narendra Modi Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani at Hyderabad
House in New Delhi.

 Indian and Afghanistan discussed regional counter-terror efforts and enhancing New Delhi's defense assistance to Kabul during a daylong working visit by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani here on Tuesday.

In contrast to previous bilateral summit meetings, no agreements were announced, but both sides expressed an appreciation for the New South Asia policy of the U.S. even as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson continued his travels in the region, landing in New Delhi late on Tuesday.

Meets with Tillerson

On Monday, Mr. Tillerson held talks with President Ghani at the U.S. controlled Bagram Base outside Kabul, the Pakistan leadership in Islamabad.

Mr. Ghani's talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi held against the backdrop of those talks, covered several bilateral issues, the security situation in Afghanistan and the process of dialogue with the Taliban.

"President Ghani exchanged thoughts with Prime Minister Modi following the new U.S strategy is an opportunity for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan & South Asia; expansion of cooperation between the countries and the region," the Afghanistan President's Twitter handle said shortly after the leader met, referring to Washington's  new policy of encouraging greater Indian involvement in Afghanistan's development.