US says India key partner on way forward in Afghanistan, Pakistan

The United States today described India as its key, global partner with whom it shared an aspiration -- its core goal to disrupt, dismantle and defeat terrorist networks in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"India is a key, global partner of the United States and we value the positive role India continues to play in the region, including its significant humanitarian contributions to Afghanistan," US Ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer said in a statement here today, hours after US President Barack Obama unveiled his new strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan at a meeting in New York Tuesday night.

Among other things, Mr Obama has decided to send an additional 30,000 US troops to Afghanistan, saying that America's security was at stake in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"Our nations share a common goal -- to see a world free of the global terrorism that threatens our people where they worship, live, work, and study. We are committed to working steadfastly together to accomplish this goal," he said.

"Our core goal in Afghanistan and Pakistan -- to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat terrorist networks -- is an aspiration we share with India. We must unite in the commitment of our civilian resources, and provide the tools for economic development and humanitarian aid to eliminate the extremist violence that is the enemy of peace, faith, democracy, tolerance, fundamental freedoms and human rights," he said.

Mr Roemer noted that Mr Obama had announced significant and closely coordinated military and civilian resources for Afghanistan.

"He has directed us to work together to strengthen the Afghan National Security Forces so that the Afghans can take the lead in reclaiming and governing their own country. We are helping to create jobs for the Afghans which are critical to undermining the appeal of the brutal extremists while insuring sustainable, economic growth in the long term, with agriculture as our top development priority," Mr Roemer said.

He said Mr Obama had also announced substantial civilian resources for Pakistan as part of the effort to enhance the Pakistani government's capacity to meet the immediate needs of its people, facilitate sustainable economic growth, and build on its success in the fight against militancy and global terrorism.

"In order for this new strategy to be effective, the U.S. and Pakistan must work together to hold terrorists accountable for their actions and to offer terror networks no safe haven," the US Ambassador said.

According to him, President Obama had indicated that while the US military presence in Afghanistan was not open-ended, America had enduring interests in the region and would remain politically, diplomatically and economically engaged in Afghanistan and Pakistan for the long term.

NNN