Modi meets Afghan President, Bhutan, Bangladesh PMs on SAARC sidelines

PTI Updated - November 26, 2014 at 06:17 PM.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the opening session of 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Kathmandu November 26, 2014. South Asian leaders from Afghanistan to the Maldives met in Kathmandu on Wednesday for a summit that was undermined by traditional bickering between rivals Pakistan and India. REUTERS/Narendra Shrestha/Pool (NEPAL - Tags: POLITICS)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held bilateral talks with the Afghan President and Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and Bhutan during which the leaders discussed ways to enhance cooperation in key areas of trade and security.

Modi, who arrived here yesterday to attend 18th SAARC Summit, held talks with the SAARC leaders at the Soaltee hotel where all the visiting dignitaries are staying.

During his meeting with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, Modi said India was committed to strengthening relations with the war-torn country.

Prime Minister Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina discussed greater prospects of cooperation amongst democracies of South Asia, according to the External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson.

Inviting Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay to visit ‘Vibrant Gujarat’ event in January, the Indian leader also appreciated Bhutan National Reading Year – 2015, and committed to send experts who organised ‘Gujarat is Reading’.

Tobgay also welcomed Modi’s leadership role in SAARC.

Published on November 26, 2014 11:31