Heart of Asia: Modi, Ghani hold bilateral meeting

Amritsar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday held a bilateral meeting here before the commencement of the Heart of Asia ministerial conference. "Beginning together before the Heart of Asia Ministerial. PM Narendra Modi and President Ashraf Ghani hold an important bilateral meeting," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.  

Beginning together before the #HeartofAsia Ministerial. PM @narendramodi and President @ashrafghani hold an important bilateral meeting pic.twitter.com/BiNN7SMTB9

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) December 4, 2016

Modi and Ghani would jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations at the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process conference, which would see participation of over eight foreign ministers and other dignitaries of 14 participating countries. Image courtesy: PMO India/Twitter What PM Modi said in the Heart of Asia:

• Amritsar enforces the value of restoring connectivity which is so crucial for the overall growth and economic prosperity of Afghanistan: PM
• Peace in Afghanistan important: PM
• Our words and actions remain focus on building, strengthening & securing Afghan’s territory and its citizens from external threats: PM Modi
• Our gathering today re-affirms the commitment of the international community to durable peace & lasting stability in Afghanistan: PM Modi
• We should all work to build stronger positive connectivity between Afghanistan and other countries of the region: PM Modi
• On India’s part, our commitment to our brave Afghan brothers and sisters is absolute and unwavering: PM Modi
• As such, support for voices of peace in Afghanistan alone is not enough. It must be backed by a resolute action: PM Modi
• Our bilateral and regional commitments of material assistance for Afghanistan’s development needs must continue and increase: PM Modi
• We also plan to connect Afghanistan with India through an air transport corridor: PM Modi.
• Parliament building in Kabul represents our strong commitment to Afghanistan’s democratic future: PM Modi in Amritsar

What Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said in the Heart of Asia:

• The project of Chabahar Port between India, Afghanistan and Iran is very important to us for connectivity-Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani
• India's help is with no strings attached: Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani
• Heart of Asia is meeting at time of great opportunity in significant threats for Afghanistan for Asia-wide & global implications: Dr A Ghani
• India's support to Afghanistan aimed at improving people's life and is transparent with no strings attached: Afghanistan Pres. Ashraf Ghani
• Afghanistan suffered the highest number of casualties last year. This is unacceptable: Dr.Ashraf Ghani
• About 30 terrorist groups, as named by the UN, are trying to establish a base in Afghanistan: Dr.Ashraf Ghani
• Pak has pledged 500 million dollars for Afghanistan's development,this amount Mr.Aziz(Sartaj) can be spent to contain extremism: Ashraf Ghani