Appreciate India's support for people, government of Afghanistan: US

The United States has extended its appreciation towards India's role in promoting a stable and prosperous region in Afghanistan saying that they value the support that India has given to the government of the war-torn nation.

"I think we certainly do appreciate the support that India has 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," State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said in a press briefing yesterday.

He added that ultimately what the US would always encourage in terms of India's involvement, is that "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."

US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Olson was in New Delhi last week to meet with the Indian officials to discuss support for the government of Afghanistan and security forces, as well as the Afghan-led Afghan Army peace process.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, while addressing the "Heart of Asia" summit in Islamabad said that terrorism in that country has grown in both intensity and scope in the last few months and that India was ready to work with the Afghan government to strengthen its defensive capability.

"Terrorists have made concerted efforts to capture and hold territory, reminding us that they have not changed. We salute the Afghan National Security Forces and the Afghan people for countering the forces of terrorism and extremism with courage and resilience. They need the continued support of the international community to defend Afghanistan's unity and security. For its part, India is ready to work with Afghanistan to strengthen its defensive capability," she said.

She said that the "heart of Asia" cannot function if arteries are clogged and noted that India's vision for the war-torn country was one of interlinked trade, transit, energy and communication routes, with Afghanistan as an important hub.