Afghan army chief General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai is scheduled to visit India for three days from July 27 amid the ongoing conflict between the Taliban and Afghan forces following the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.

Government sources said he is scheduled to meet Indian Army chief Gen. M.M. Naravane and national security adviser Ajit Doval, besides senior political leadership.

“The Afghan army chief is scheduled to visit India on July 27 for three days amid the turmoil in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of foreign forces. Strengthening defence cooperation and bilateral military ties will be the main focus of the visit,” said a defence ministry official.

Afghanistan has been reaching out to its key allies in seeking support to strengthen its security forces in the backdrop of the Taliban resorting to widespread violence to expand its influence across the country after the US began withdrawing troops from May 1.

The supply of military equipment to Afghanistan, a defence ministry official said, as part of military assistance from India will come up during Gen. Ahmadzai’s the visit.

India has invested $3 billion in infrastructure projects in Afghanistan over the years including building roads and the parliament building of the country. Over the past few years, India has also been training Afghan cadets at military academies.

India has also gifted seven helicopters to Afghanistan, including four Mi24 attack helicopters and three Cheetal utility choppers.

“Afghanistan had in the past requested for offensive military hardware, including artillery guns, tanks and armoured vehicles,” the official said.

Last month President Ashraf Ghani appointed Gen. Ahmadzai as the new chief of army staff, replacing Gen. Yasin Zia.