Asia-Pacific

Indian PM to visit Afghanistan to offer more aid

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-05-11 13:37

NEW DELHI - An official says India's prime minister visit Afghanistan in the next week to reaffirm India's commitment to Kabul as the United States seeks to reduce its troop presence.

Manmohan Singh will visit Kabul "over the next few days" for talks with President Hamid Karzai as the date for the withdrawal of US troops draws closer.

The dates for Singh's visit are not being made public due to security concerns after the killing of Osama bin Laden, the official said Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity. He said Singh will announce an unspecified new aid package.

The US plans to start withdrawing troops from Afghanistan in July and hand over security responsibility to Afghan forces. NATO aims to pull all its troops out by 2014.