Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will be leaving for Kabul on Thursday morning, though officially, his visit is still being kept under wraps for security reasons.
Noting that instability and extremism in Afghanistan affects India's progress and development and pose danger to the country's security, a government source said that during the meeting with the Afghan leadership, India would also like to know the views of the government there on the situation after the killing of al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.
The PM had earlier put off the visit on America's request. But after his chat with United States President Barrack Obama on Monday, the foreign ministry swung into action, making preparations for his trip that is billed as an exercise to ensure India is not edged out from any peace deal in Afghanistan.
"I will be leaving on an official visit to Afghanistan at the invitation of President Hamid Karzai," Singh said in a statement, asserting that India's commitment to assisting the people of Afghanistan is enduring and has weathered many storms.
"Obviously, the situation post-killing of Osama is something of concern to all of us and we would also like to hear what President Karzai has to say about it," the sources said while maintaining that India's concerns over reconciliation with the Taliban have not "gone away" with the killing of Osama.
The sources said India also does not believe that Osama's killing will fundamentally change the working of al Qaeda in Afghanistan or globally or the activities of Taliban groups which operate from across the border in Pakistan from the safe sancturies such as Haqqani group and others will automatically stand diminished because of what happened to Osama in Abbottabad.
"We will be interested in seeing and hearing what President Karzai has to say about it," the sources said, pointing out that these security concerns are manifested in attacks on Afghanistan and its people.
The visit will also deliver "tangible" results with India to discuss ways to advance its developmental partnership with Afghanistan to a new level in the coming years. There are indications that India will step-up its assistance for various developmental projects which already cover almost two-third provinces in Afghanistan.
While India is carrying out various developmental projects in Afghanistan, security still remains a big concern for Indian interests and other establishments.
The sources pointed out that several Indian private companies have shown interest in iron ore mining such as Hajigak and said Afghanistan has also conveyed that it welcomes Indian participation and assured that they will do their best to provide security.
