KABUL - President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday assured visiting Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj that Afghanistan would always stand by its South Asian ally, the Presidential Palace said. Swaraj called on Hamid Karzai at the Presidential Palace, a statement from Karzai’s office said, adding the two leaders discussed issues of bilateral interest and regional matters.

Based on friendly relations, mutual interests and shared concerns, Afghanistan remained India’s partner and friend, the president was quoted as saying. The visiting Indian minister reiterated her country’s commitment to partnership with Afghanistan.

Swaraj said the New Delhi government would work in close cooperation with the future Afghan government. Later, Swaraj inaugurated a new Indian Embassy building, which features an integrated security system, in the Wazir Akbar Khan diplomatic enclave close to the Afghan Foreign Ministry. (Pajhwok)