WASHINGTON: India has played a constructive role in Afghanistan in the past by providing assistance in the training and improvement of infrastructure that help maintain good stability and governance in the country, said Pentagon.
The Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby during his daily press conference on Monday also said that the Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin shared the concern of the international community about the security situation in Afghanistan which clearly did not walk in the right direction.
“India has played a constructive role in Afghanistan in the past in terms of training and increased other infrastructure,” Kirby told reporters.
“Such work, such efforts to help Afghanistan maintain good stability and governance is always accepted,” he said when asked about Indian-US cooperation in Afghanistan.
India has become the main stakeholder in peace and stability of Afghanistan.
It has invested almost USD 3 billion in aid and reconstruction activities in a war-hit by a war.
India has supported the national peace and reconciliation process led by Afghanistan, belongs to Afghanistan and controlled Afghanistan.
It has also called for all parts of the political spectrum in Afghanistan to work together to fulfill the aspirations of all people in the country, including those from the minority community, for prosperous and safe future.
Since the announcement of the withdrawal of US troops on August 31, violence has increased in Afghanistan and efforts to mediate peace settlements between the Afghan government and the Taliban rebels have slowed.
With a Taliban attack increase, Afghan security forces and government forces have replied with air strikes assisted by the United States.
The Austin defense secretary, he said, shared the concern of the international community about the security situation in Afghanistan which clearly would not be in the right direction.
“Secretary continues to believe that Afghan forces have the ability, they have the capacity to make a big difference in the battlefield,” he said.
“He has stated that we will continue to support them with authority where and when it is worthy, understand that it is not always worth it.
But where and when it is worthy of continuing to support them with air strikes, for example,” he said.
“Another thing is that we focus because we have to be given a president’s direction, we focus on completing drawdown at the end of the month and by turning to different bilateral relations with Afghan forces that will be one of the support, financial maintenance and logistics support from abroad.
That’s the focus , That’s what we drive, “he added.
Kirby said the Taliban had made progress.
“There are no questions.
Afghanistan has capacity.
They have the ability.
They have a capable air force,” he said.