Terrorism in the region and security situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan were among the host of issues discussed during first Indo-German Inter- governmental meeting here today with prime minister Manmohan Singh asserting that terrorism will have to be fought "on all fronts and not selectively".

Led by Singh and German chancellor Angela Merkel, who arrived here this morning, the cabinet meetings between the two sides saw wide-ranging talks on bilateral, regional and international issues such as cooperation in the strategic areas of defence and security, trade and UN security council reforms.

"We discussed the developments in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Terrorism is a serious challenge which will have to be fought on all fronts and not selectively," Singh told a joint press conference with Merkel.

"India and Germany have the same goal in Afghanistan, as an independent country with security in its hands. Afghanistan should develop an independent security architecture," Merkel said.

She said Germany will be hosting the next conference on Afghanistan by the end of the year in which the issue of reconciliation process will be discussed in detail.

After the talks, India and Germany also inked four pacts to expand their cooperation in areas relating to education, research and high-tech areas like nuclear physics.