Karzai to visit India from Monday

NEW DELHI - Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai would pay a two-day visit India on his way to Bhutan to attend the XVIth South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit.

Ministry of External Affairs release said President Karzai would arrive at the Palam Air Force Station by a Special Ariana Afghan Airlines Aircraft at 9 a.m. on Monday.

He would call on his Indian counterpart Pratibha Devisingh Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhavan at 11 a.m.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and President Karzai would hold one to one as well as delegation-level talks at 11.45 a.m.

Dr. Singh will host lunch in honour of the visiting Afghan delegation at his 7 Race Course Road residence.

Karzai would emplane for Paro, Bhutan on Tuesday morning.

Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Dr. Zalmay Rassoul is also paying a two- day visit on his way to Bhutan.

Dr. Rassoul would arrive in New Delhi on Sunday morning.

He will hold a series of meetings with his Indian counterpart S M rishna and other senior MEA officials

Krishna would host a dinner for Dr. Rassoul at Hotel Taj Mahal.

Dr. Rassoul would emplane for Bhutan on Monday. (ANI)