Meeting with Indian officials, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has called on India to play a “more active” role in Afghanistan, according to US officials.
Officials speaking to reporters told the AFP,
Panetta went on to meet with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon in New Delhi, where according to his spokesman George Litte,
Karzai agrees strategic alliance with India (05 Oct 2011)
The road to stability in Afghanistan runs through Pakistan and India (14 Oct 2009)
Talking on Pakistan, Panetta warned that the US was “reaching the limits our patience” and called for greater military co-operation with the country.
See our earlier posts:
US-Pakistan ties damaged by jailing of Dr Afridi - Panetta (27 May 2012)
US cuts aid to Pakistan after jailing of doctor (25 May 2012)
Officials speaking to reporters told the AFP,
"Over the last 10 years, for a variety of reasons, India has not played a particularly active role in Afghanistan. We welcome India playing a more active role in Afghanistan, a more active political and economic role".He went on to add that India has "trained army and police before but on a relatively small scale" and called on them to expand their programs.
Panetta went on to meet with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon in New Delhi, where according to his spokesman George Litte,
"In both meetings, Secretary Panetta discussed the US rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region and the importance the United States places on India."Panetta himself stated,
"Defense cooperation, defense cooperation with India, is a linchpin in this strategy. India is one of the largest and most dynamic countries in the region and for that matter in the world, with one of the most capable militaries. India also shares with the United States a set of principles which helps maintain international security.”See our earlier posts:
Karzai agrees strategic alliance with India (05 Oct 2011)
The road to stability in Afghanistan runs through Pakistan and India (14 Oct 2009)
Talking on Pakistan, Panetta warned that the US was “reaching the limits our patience” and called for greater military co-operation with the country.
See our earlier posts:
US-Pakistan ties damaged by jailing of Dr Afridi - Panetta (27 May 2012)
US cuts aid to Pakistan after jailing of doctor (25 May 2012)