H.E. Dr. Zalmai Rassoul, Foreign Minister of Afghanistan is visiting New Delhi from April 30 – May 2, 2012 at the invitation of the External Affairs Minister. The Ministers will co-chair the first session of the India-Afghanistan Partnership Council set up under the landmark Strategic Partnership Agreement concluded between India and Afghanistan during the visit of President Hamid Karzai to India in October 2011. The inaugural session of the Partnership Council will be preceded by a meeting of the Joint Working Group on Political and Security Consultations headed by Foreign Secretary and the Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan.
During his visit, Dr. Rassoul will meet with India’s Prime Minister, Finance Minister and National Security Adviser. The visit forms part of the high-level engagement between the two countries and provides an opportunity for both countries to review and consolidate the implementation of their strategic partnership. The visit also follows the trilateral meeting with U.S., Pakistan and Afghan officials which took place last weekend.