Heart of Asia conference

PM speaks of the numerous projects under the partnership, from the Friendship Dam to Parliament building, capacity building, health and more

12:07 PM (IST)

As India implements its additional commitments, we are open to work with other like-minded partners for the development of Afghanistan, PM Modi says

12:06 PM (IST)
As such, support for voices of peace in Afghanistan alone is not enough. It must be backed by a resolute action. Not just against forces of terrorism but also against those who support, shelter and finance them
PM Modi
12:04 PM (IST)

On India’s part, our commitment to our brave Afghan brothers and sisters is absolute and unwavering, PM Modi says

12:03 PM (IST)
We should all work to build stronger positive connectivity between Afghanistan and other countries of the region
PM Modi
12:02 PM (IST)

Silence and inaction against terrorism in Afghanistan and our region will only embolden terrorists and their masters, PM Modi says

12:01 PM (IST)

PM identifies four key issues in supporting Afghanistan, beginning an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled process

12:00 PM (IST)
Our words and actions remain focus on building, strengthening and securing Afghan’s territory and its citizens from external threats
PM Modi
12:00 PM (IST)
We must protect and build on the gains of the last fifteen years and march ahead
PM Modi
11:59 AM (IST)

"Our words and actions remain focused at advancing a critical unfinished mission of our time," PM Modi says

11:58 AM (IST)
Our gathering today re-affirms the commitment of the international community to durable peace and lasting stability in Afghanistan
PM Modi
11:58 AM (IST)

Amritsar nurtures an old and steadfast connection of warmth and affection with Afghanistan, PM says

11:56 AM (IST)
Since the turn of this century, the international community has extensively engaged in Afghanistan
PM Modi
11:55 AM (IST)

"It is a particular pleasure to jointly inaugurate this conference with our friend and partner, President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan," PM Modi says

11:55 AM (IST)

PM Modi welcomes delegates for the conference meet

11:55 AM (IST)
Trilateral agreement signed between India, Iran and Afghanistan is major step in transforming Afghanistan from land-lock country to land-bridge
Ashraf Ghani
11:53 AM (IST)
Top Taliban leader admitted to Pakistan's terror role. Terrorism must be fought collectively
Ashraf Ghani
11:50 AM (IST)

About 30 terrorist groups, as named by the UN, are trying to establish a base in Afghanistan, Ghani said

11:49 AM (IST)
Afghanistan suffered the highest number of casualties last year. This is unacceptable
Ashraf Ghani
11:45 AM (IST)
Heart of Asia is meeting at time of great opportunity in significant threats for Afghanistan for Asia-wide & global implications
Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani
11:43 AM (IST)
The project of Chabahar Port between India, Afghanistan and Iran is very important to us for connectivity
Ashraf Ghani
1 sec ago

Afghan President Ghani thanks PM Modi for Indian assistance in building Salma Dam. "India's help is transparent with no strings attached," he said.

1 sec ago

Afghan president Dr Ashraf Ghani speaking at 6th Ministerial Conference

1 sec ago
There is much to be done to tackle challenges like terrorism and radicalism
Salahuddin Rabbani, Afghan foreign minister
1 sec ago

Arun Jaitley welcomes delegates at the summit in Amritsar

1 sec ago

FM Arun Jaitley and MoS MEA VK Singh at Heart of Asia summit in Amritsar

1 sec ago

Leaders attending Heart of Asia summit pose for a photograph

1 sec ago

Modi, Ghani hold bilateral meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani held a bilateral meeting here before the commencement of the Heart of Asia ministerial conference.

"Beginning together before the Heart of Asia Ministerial. PM Narendra Modi and President Ashraf Ghani hold an important bilateral meeting," External affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.


Modi and Ghani would jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations at the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process conference, which would see participation of over eight foreign ministers and other dignitaries of 14 participating countries.
1 sec ago
Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Sunday met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani during which they discussed ways to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan.
7 mins ago

PM Modi and President Ashraf Ghani hold an important bilateral meeting

30 mins ago

India, Afghanistan bilateral meet underway on the sideline of Heart of Asia conference

09:41 AM (IST)

09:27 AM (IST)

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. The two countries are likely to finalise broad contours of a bilateral air cargo service pact to boost trade. Ghani arrived in Amritsar yesterday evening to attend the Heart of Asia conference being held in the holy city.

09:26 AM (IST)

​ PM Modi to inaugurate Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference

* PM Modi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will jointly inaugurate the sixth Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference in Amritsar today.

* The conference will discuss peace, cooperation and economic development in Afghanistan.

* The theme for this year's conference is 'Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity'. At the Ministerial Conference, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will lead the Indian delegation in place of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj who is unwell.

* Heart of Asia process was launched in 2011 from Istanbul. Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the event in Amritsar.
09:24 AM (IST)
In a sudden change of plan, Pakistan's Sartaj Aziz landed in Amritsar on Saturday evening, at least 15 hours ahead of his scheduled arrival on Sunday for the conference on Afghanistan.
10:52 PM (IST), Dec 03
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made a surprise visit to the langar hall of the Golden Temple, where he served food, knelt and bowed five times before the Sikh Holy book, and was honoured with a siropa.
08:56 PM (IST), Dec 03

08:26 PM (IST), Dec 03

08:09 PM (IST), Dec 03

Pakistan Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz arrives in Amritsar for the Heart of Asia conference

08:03 PM (IST), Dec 03

06:36 PM (IST), Dec 03

Dignitaries visit the Golden Temple

(Photo: MEA/Twitter)
06:28 PM (IST), Dec 03

PM Modi arrives in Amritsar

ANI/Twitter
04:12 PM (IST), Dec 03

Sartaj Aziz to arrive today

Sartaj Aziz to arrive in Amritsar on Saturday evening to attend the Heart of Asia Conference, reports ANI
04:10 PM (IST), Dec 03

PM Modi to offer prayers at Golden Temple in Amritsar

04:08 PM (IST), Dec 03

PM Modi to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Amritsar


The two leaders will hold talks on bilateral issues on the sidelines of the Heart of Asia conference, an international conference for peace and stability in the war-ravaged Afghanistan.

Modi and Ghani will jointly inaugurate the ministerial deliberations of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, which sees over 40 foreign ministers and dignitaries of 14 participating countries on Sunday
12:30 PM (IST), Dec 03
Being attended by nearly 40 countries and leading groupings like the European Union, the annual conference of the Heart of Asia — Istanbul Process is deliberating on various challenges facing Afghanistan, including revival of a peace process in the conflict-ridden country.
11:36 AM (IST), Dec 03

11:29 AM (IST), Dec 03
With no confirmation yet of any substantive bilateral dialogue between the two countries on the sidelines of the Heart of Asia conference, Pakistan's Sartaj Aziz, the de facto foreign minister of the country, will likely have a curtailed visit to India.
11:28 AM (IST), Dec 03

Delegates to visit Golden Temple

Delegates from participating countries, supporting countries and organisations, including China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE, will visit Golden temple. Besides two sessions, there will be bilateral meetings between the participating countries, officials said.
11:28 AM (IST), Dec 03

Amritsar under thick security blanket

Amritsar has been put under a thick security blanket in view of the sixth ministerial Heart of Asia conference - Istanbul Process on Afghanistan.

Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, Suresh Arora took stock of the security arrangements of the city for the international conference, a senior officer said.

"All security arrangements are in place to avoid any eventuality," he said.

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