The Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who arrived in India on Friday, is slated to address the captains of Indian industry in Mumbai on Saturday.

“The President of Afghanistan will be in Mumbai and would be interacting with business leaders in the financial capital. The idea obviously is to encourage Indian business to look at Afghanistan as a destination for investments, for greater trade, for greater economic cooperation. As you are aware, India hosted the Delhi Investment Summit on Afghanistan, the first such summit that India has hosted for any other country in India. That was in the end of June this year. There has been considerable follow-up since then. Obviously the intention is to try and attract Indian industry, Indian business to looking at Afghanistan as a destination for investments and trade,” said the Additional Secretary in the Indian External Affairs Ministry, Yash K Sinha.

He also informed that Indian investors would also be interested in mines and mineral sector in Afghanistan.

“As far as the investments into Afghanistan are concerned, we are looking at investments in various sectors, particularly in mineral sector. You are aware that the consortium of Indian companies led by SAIL has won the bid for the Hajigak iron ore mines, and discussions are under way to finalise the contract in this regard,” he said.

India is also looking at a greater, enhanced economic cooperation with Afghanistan to expand the already very vibrant bilateral relationship from a Government-to-Government assistance programme or relationship to cover the entire gamut of activities in the economic, commercial field, in the people-to-people contacts which are extremely strong, and other areas like culture and people-to-people contact.

Karzai is on a State Visit to India from November 9-13. He is accompanied by a high level Ministerial and official delegation from Afghanistan.

While in Delhi, President Karzai will be accorded a ceremonial welcome on November 12. The President of India will host a State Banquet in his honour. Delegation level talks will be held between the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and President Karzai.

President Karzai will deliver the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Memorial Lecture organized by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations in New Delhi on November 12.

President Karzai's visit follows Dr Singhs landmark visit to Kabul in May 2011 signifying the high-level engagement between the two countries. During President Karzai’s last visit to India in October 2011 a historic Strategic Partnership Agreement was signed. The visit provides an opportunity for both countries to review and consolidate their strategic partnership and discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.