The US State Department has said that India’s role in Afghanistan is good for political stability and economic prosperity in South Asia.
The department’s deputy spokesman, Mark Toner, told a news briefing that US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Olson visited India last week.
In New Delhi, he met members of the Indian government as well as civil society leaders and discussed a range of issues, including support for the government of Afghanistan and security forces as well as the Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process. He then joined Secretary of State John Kerry who was in Afghanistan this weekend.
“It’s good for the region, it’s good for the prosperity of the region, it’s good for the economy of the region, and good for the political stability of the region,” said Mr Toner when asked what role did the US see for India in Afghanistan.
He said the US “certainly” appreciated the support that India had given for the people and the government of Afghanistan, including trade ties, security, development assistance, and India’s role in promoting a stable and prosperous region. The United States, he said, would “always encourage … India’s involvement” in Afghanistan as it was good for the entire region.
