Ahmadinejad arrives in Afghanistan: Govt

Last Updated: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 15:12

Kabul: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad flew into Kabul today for summit talks on a visit overlapping with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who was in Afghanistan to review a US troop surge.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai's office confirmed Ahmadinejad's arrival as Gates toured a training centre for Afghan army officers and non-commissioned officers at Camp Blackhorse outside the Afghan capital.

"They will discuss bilateral relations between the two countries and expansion of economic relations between the two countries," Karzai spokesman Siamak Hirawi told.

They were scheduled to discuss economic projects such as a railway line from Tajikistan through Afghanistan to Iran, Hirawi said.

The two leaders were scheduled to hold a news conference later today after their first meeting since their controversial re-elections in 2009.

Ahmadinejad has repeatedly called for the withdrawal of US-led troops from Afghanistan, on Iran's eastern border, while US officials have long accused Iran of maintaining links to Islamist insurgents in the country.

Speaking at a brief press conference at the military training centre, Gates said the United States wanted Afghanistan to have "good relations" with all its neighbours.

PTI

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First Published: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 15:12