Afghanistan Scouting For A Place For Its Consulate In Hyderabad 

Hyderabad: Afghanistan will soon open a consulate in Hyderabad which will be a step forward for expansion of ties between both the countries, its envoy to India said on Friday.

Abdali was speaking on the sidelines of an interactive meeting organised by FICCI along with FTAPCCI.

He said the Afghan and Indian governments have agreed to open a third representation of Afghanistan (after Embassy in Delhi and consulate in Mumbai) in the form of consulate in Hyderabad.

We will encourage airlines to operate flights between Kabul and Hyderabad.

On the proposal of sister city relationship between Hyderabad and Jalalabad, he said We have in-principle agreed on this. I am going to discuss again (on this matter) tomorrow with Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.

On starting direct flights between Hyderabad and Kabul, Abdali said, After the consulate opens, it is certainly an option we will encourage airlines to operate flights between Kabul and Hyderabad. Presently, there is direct flight service between Delhi and Kabul.

To a query, he said Afghanistan and India are strategic partners, which means special status (to India), and there will be cooperation not only from (Afghan) government but also people.

The Afghan ambassador further said that New Delhi will host a major business summit, likely within the next two months, to attract investment from across the globe for the strategic Chabahar port in Iran.

PTI