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India, Afghanistan To Discuss Closer Cooperation

By vivek raghuvanshi
Published: 6 Jul 2009 14:25

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NEW DELHI - Indian and Afghan leaders will discuss this week closer cooperation in the fight against the Taliban.

Gen. Bismillah Khan Mohammadi, chief of General Staff of the Afghan National Army, is visiting here July 6-9, said sources in the Indian Defence Ministry.

"During the visit he is likely to interact with senior officials in the military and civilian defense hierarchy to discuss various contemporary issues," says an Indian Defence Ministry news release.

India has always desisted from fighting the Taliban directly inside Afghanistan under the aegis of the allied forces, insisting that it should fight only under authority of the United Nations, sources said.

India has already agreed to train Afghan personnel at Indian defense establishments.

During his visit, the Afghan Army chief will meet with top Indian Army officers. Afghanistan has 10 Russian-made MI-35 helicopter gunships and is looking for training and maintenance support from India.