The Indian and Chinese leaders have agreed to work jointly on a landmark project in Afghanistan in a bid to bring the two neighboring giant economies together in a constructive way in Afghanistan, it has been reported.

The Indian government sources have said that the agreement was reached during a meeting of the two leaders and during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have given the go-ahead for India and China to carry out a first-of-its-kind joint project in Afghanistan, which would emerge as a symbol of the potential to cooperate, not just compete, in the neighbourhood, according to India Today newspaper.

The Indian and Chinese officials have not formally commented in this regard so and there are reports regarding the joint project likely to be implemented in Afghanistan.

This comes as China has stepped up efforts to increase its engagement in Afghanistan amid fears that the growing instability in Afghanistan cold adversely affect the country.

The Chinese foreign minister wing Yi durig a meeting with the National Security Advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar said last week that the political leadership of China considers Afghanistan an important neighbor and supports the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

He also reaffirmed China’s support to Afghanistan in the fight against terrorism and the elimination of terror groups.

On the other hand, India has played a major role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban regime and has invested over $2 billion in various reconstruction and infrastructure projects.

The construction of the major Salma Dam, the new Afghan parliament building, Zaranj-Delaram highway, and some other projects are among the key investments India has done so far in the country.

The government of India pledged a fresh aid package of $1 billion to support the reconstruction projects in Afghanistan during a visit by President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani in late 2016.