US wants continued action from Pak to fight terror

Speaking on a range of issues concerning the South Asian region to women journalists here, Powell also said that the US would like to see a greater play of India's "soft power" in Afghanistan as it establishes a new democracy.

Asked to comment on Pakistan's fight against terrorism, she said more action was the need of the hour.

"I think all of us want to see continued action on terrorism. It is a threat to both India and the US and to Pakistan itself... And we want to see additional action, we want to see additional efforts," she said.

The American envoy, however, was more vocal on what she wanted from India in battle-ravaged Afghanistan and referred to President Hamid Karzai's strong emphasis on Indian investments in his country.

Asked what role the US expected from India, she said: "President Karzai was very very emphatic on one of them during his visit last week, talking about the red carpet for Indian investments to come to Afghanistan. We certainly see that as one role".

She pointed out how India had hosted an investment conference for Afghanistan last year and referred to India's strategic dialogue with Afghanistan, but she also turned to "something that doesn't get very much attention here -- India's soft power".

"(There are) a number of things by virtue of your proximity and your democracy that can be very very important for Afghanistan -- things like the role of the Election Commission in the electoral process," she said. (MORE)