India backs economic ties with Afghanistan at Moscow talks

New Delhi: As it prepares to host Afghanistan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi this week, India joined other members at Moscow Format Consultations in the Russian capital in underlining the need for development of economic and trade exchanges with the country, along with investment cooperation with regional countries and the international community.

In a joint statement, India and other states also called unacceptable attempts by countries to deploy their military infrastructure in Afghanistan and neighbouring states, saying this does not serve the interests of regional peace and stability . While this formulation is not new, it's still significant in the context of US efforts to take control of the Bagram air base in Afghanistan.