Afghan Army ChiefGeneral Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai is scheduled to visit India from July 27 to July29, as per sources. He will interact with top security officials including theIndian Army Chief General MM Naravane. He is also expected to meet National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
The visit, thoughscheduled several months ago, comes at a time when Afghan forces are engaged infierce fighting to take back districts and key centres captured by the Talibanin a campaign that has coincided with the speedy drawdown of US and NATOforces.
"The Afghan ArmyChief is scheduled to arrive in India on July 27 for a three-day visit. He isscheduled to return in the first half of July 30. Strengthening defencecooperation will be the focus of the visit," said one of the persons.
It has been reportedearlier that seven helicopters have been supplied by India to Afghanistan; andthese include four Russian Mi-24 attack helicopters, and three Cheetalhelicopters.
And India has beentraining Afghan cadets at military academies across the country in variousfields including intelligence gathering and information technology,counter-terrorism operations as well as military field-craft. Afghanistan hasalso given a wish list to India some time ago which had listed tanks, armouredvehicles, artillery guns and other military hardware.
India has investedthree billion US dollars in infrastructure projects in Afghanistan over theyears. This includes the building of roads, a critical dam and the parliamentbuilding of the country.
It is learnt that GenAhmadzai is likely to seek supply of military hardware from India to enhancethe combat capability of his forces.
The Afghan Armychief's visit to India also comes in the midst of increasing strain in Kabul'sties with Islamabad following the brief kidnapping of the daughter ofAfghanistan's ambassador to Pakistan.
In an address at aconnectivity conference in Tashkent on Friday, President Ghani hit out atPakistan for the influx of foreign terrorists into Afghanistan and failing todo enough to influence the Taliban to seriously engage in the peace talks.
"Intelligenceestimates indicate the influx of over 10,000 jihadi fighters (into Afghanistan)from Pakistan and other places in the last month," Mr Ghani said at theconference in the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and severalother leaders.