WASHINGTON – The United States said on Thursday that it supported continuedIndian involvement in Afghanistan, even as President Donald Trump looks towithdraw troops.
India is one of the most enthusiastic backers of Afghanistan’s government,contributing more than $3 billion since the 2001 US-led invasion toppledthe Taliban, who harboured virulently anti-Indian militants.
“The United States welcomes India’s substantial investment in andassistance to Afghanistan,” said Nancy Izzo Jackson, a State Departmentofficial in charge of Afghanistan.
“And we will continue to support efforts to achieve an honourable andenduring outcome in Afghanistan that preserves our investment inAfghanistan’s future,” she told a conference on India’s role in Afghanistanat the Hudson Institute.
India constructed Afghanistan’s new parliament building and has also wooedAfghans with its soft power, including Bollywood films.
But India’s involvement in Afghanistan has been a cause of consternationfor Pakistan.
The US earlier this year reached a deal with the Taliban to pull troopsfrom Afghanistan and wind down America’s longest war.
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But Trump said in September that he was withdrawing an invitation to theinsurgents to meet near Washington due to the killing of a US soldier.
The US-Taliban talks were facilitated by Pakistan, and Prime Minister ImranKhan had earlier this year regretted link thatthe peace deal that was about to be signed had collapsed.
On Thursday, President Trump in a telephone conversation had thankedlink Prime Minister Imran for Pakistan’sefforts in facilitating the release of two Western hostages by the Talibanin Afghanistan.
Harsh Vardhan Shringla, the Indian ambassador in Washington, said that anysettlement in Afghanistan needed to ensure that “there is no room for anyterrorist elements to create a foothold”.
“It is also important to deliver the message to terrorists that democraciesdo not surrender to terrorism and in the ideological battle of the’emirate’ versus the ‘republic,’ the latter prevails,” he said. – APP/AFP
