Massive Indian loan to Afghanistan

Indian government officials say the Indian Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, has pledged $100m of aid to Afghanistan.

As part of a four-day official visit to India, the Afghan Foreign minister, Abdullah Abdullah, held talks with Mr Vajpayee on the ongoing effort to rebuild Afghanistan.

An Indian foreign ministry spokesman, Navtej Sarna, said the initial meeting reviewed bilateral relations, economy and political security between the two countries.

He added that the Indian prime minister had offered almost 70% of the total reconstruction loan to Afghanistan as a gift.

Correspondent say the issue of Islamic militants in the region had also been discussed.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service