India, Afghanistan sign strategic partnership deal

NEW DELHI: India and Afghanistan on Tuesday signed a strategic partnership agreement deepening their economic and security ties, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said.

Singh reached the deal with Afghan President Hamid Karzai during talks in New Delhi in a move likely to raise suspicion in Pakistan, which is already wary of the relationship between its two neighbours.

The deal is the first such pact signed by Afghanistan as it eyes alliances to help guarantee its security as international troops begin withdrawing from the war-torn country after more than a decade of fighting.

"My discussions with President Karzai have once again underscored the importance of a strong and broad-based partnership between India and Afghanistan," Singh said.

Singh explained that the strategic partnership agreement would cover security cooperation, trade and economic ties, as well as social and cultural exchanges.

The two leaders also signed two separate deals increasing links in mining and energy.

The agreements come at a time of severely strained ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan. (AFP)