Manmohan Singh last visited Afghanistan in 2005 Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is in Afghanistan for a two-day visit to discuss the fight against terror and Indian aid to the war-torn country.
The visit comes just over one week after al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden was killed by US commandos in Pakistan, but had been scheduled earlier.
Correspondents say the two countries share concerns over militant networks based in Pakistan.
It is Mr Singh’s first visit to the country in six years.
The BBC’s Quentin Sommerville in Kabul says Manmohan Singh and President Karzai both feel vindicated that Osama Bin Laden was discovered in Pakistan as they have long accused Islamabad of upsetting regional stability by harbouring militants.
But the closeness between India and Afghanistan has infuriated neighbouring Pakistan, which also wants to increase its influence in the country, our correspondent adds.
This visit is being seen as a further step in the deepening links between India and Pakistan. Although Mr Singh last visited Afghanistan in 2005, President Karzai has visited India numerous times in recent years, the most recent trip being in February.
Mr Singh will also be addressing a joint session of parliament, in what correspondents say is a rare honour.
Afghanistan’s new parliament building is under construction and much of the funding comes from India.
Indeed India is Afghanistan’s biggest regional donor, committing around $1.3bn (£0.8bn) to be spent on health, education, and construction. And officials say they expect the Indian prime minister to announce a new multi-million dollar aid package to Afghanistan.
Before leaving for Kabul, Mr Singh said his talks with President Hamid Karzai would cover regional issues and the fight against terrorism. He is also expected to discus stepping up Indian aid to Afghanistan.
“If our region has to prosper and move ahead, Afghanistan must succeed in rebuilding itself,” Mr Singh said in a statement released on the eve of his visit.
“We are people of the same region. We cannot remain unaffected by developments in Afghanistan,” he said.
But while India invests in Afghanistan’s development, security remains a major concern for Indian interests in the country, which have been targeted by the Taliban in the past. The killing of Osama Bin Laden is also expected to figure in the talks.
The visit comes as the July deadline for the US to begin withdrawing of troops from Afghanistan looms.
The US has come under growing pressure to leave Afghanistan more reliant on the help of regional allies following the killing of Osama bin Laden
Afghan President Hamid Karzai faces a delicate balancing act. The BBC’s Quentin Sommerville in Kabul says that keeping both his neighbours happy has never been more important.
Our correspondent says President Karzai needs Pakistan’s help in reconciling with the Taliban – something India is opposed and India is also concerned with Kabul’s growing links with China.
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