India, Afghanistan review bilateral ties, reaffirm cooperation across key sectors

India and Afghanistan on July 9 reviewed the full spectrum of their bilateral relationship, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation in humanitarian assistance, development, trade and capacity building during the fourth round of the India-Afghanistan Joint Committee Meeting held in New Delhi.
The meeting was co-chaired by M Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran) in the Ministry of External Affairs, and Shuaib Baryalai, Director General of the First Political Division in Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, the two sides held wide-ranging discussions on key areas of bilateral cooperation, including humanitarian assistance, development partnership, food security, healthcare, education, sports, trade, visa facilitation, connectivity and capacity-building initiatives.
The discussions underscored India’s continued engagement with Afghanistan despite the country’s political transition and reflected New Delhi’s longstanding focus on supporting the Afghan people through development-oriented initiatives.
Bangladesh seeks India’s backing to renew Ganges Water Treaty
Bangladesh on Thursday, July 9, said it expected India’s support for the renewal of the 1996 Ganges Water Treaty, which is due to expire in December, and added that talks with New Delhi were under way. Water sharing remains a key issue in ties between the two neighbours, with the treaty governing dry-season sharing of the Ganges for 30 years.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said discussions with India were moving positively, while stressing the importance of the agreement for both countries. She also said Bangladesh remained hopeful about the treaty’s renewal, even though the final decision rested with India.
“We believe the discussions with India are moving in a positive direction bilateral negotiations on the treaty are continuing,” Shama Obaed told reporters at a news briefing. “I hope India will understand its importance and come forward accordingly.” She later said Bangladesh believed “India understands the importance of the treaty and the significance of the Ganges waters for both countries”. “I believe India will make the right decision, taking that into consideration and with the shared interest of ensuring that our bilateral relationship is not harmed in any way,” she said.