Afghan president in Tehran to discuss bilateral issues

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has arrived in Iran on an official visit to explore avenues for the further promotion of bilateral relations between the two neighboring states.

Ghani, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport on Sunday morning and was greeted by Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli.

During his two-day visit, the 66-year-old leader is scheduled to meet and exchange views with a number of high-ranking Iranian officials, including his counterpart Hassan Rouhani, on the promotion of mutual ties as well as the latest regional and international developments.

Sources in the Afghan Presidential Palace have said Ghani is going to sign a bilateral strategic agreement with Rouhani, which would call for the enhancement of cooperation between Kabul and Tehran in their joint campaign against terrorism and narcotics trafficking.

The mutual accord is also intended to expand bilateral trade and cover other issues including the Afghan migrants residing across Iran.

The development comes as many observers in the Afghan capital believe that the US-led foreign forces in Afghanistan have completely failed to combat drug trafficking and poppy production in the Asian country.

The Afghan economy has been faltering since the US-led military occupation of the country, leading many politicians to focus on further expansion of ties between Afghanistan and its neighbors as well as regional countries.

Iran has served as one of the most generous aid donors to Afghanistan, helping with the reconstruction of the war-ravaged nation.