Washington, May 10: Stating that India has a
crucial role to play in rebuilding Afghanistan, a former top
US official has said it would be a "major mistake" to prevent
New Delhi from contributing to the development of the
war-ravaged country at the insistence of Pakistan.
Indian role in Afghanistan crucial: Nicholas Burns
Washington, May 10: Stating that India has a
crucial role to play in rebuilding Afghanistan, a former top
US official has said it would be a "major mistake" to prevent
New Delhi from contributing to the development of the
war-ravaged country at the insistence of Pakistan.
"I don`t think we can afford to turn down assistance
from great countries like India. India has a major role to
play in Afghanistan," former US Under Secretary of state for
Political Affairs, Nicholas Burns said.
"I don`t think we`re in the position to say this country
cannot participate in rebuilding of Afghanistan because of
differences between Pakistan and India," he told a website in an interview.
Observing that the Indian role in helping Afghans has
been very positive, Burns, who played a key role in signing of
the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal in the Bush Administration,
said: "I think that would be a grave mistake. And India needs
to be given its place to work alongside the rest of us to help
the Afghan people."
Burns was responding to a question that Pakistan`s Army
is now beginning to say that will not cooperate with the US if
India, with its USD 1.2 billion programme of building schools,
hospitals and roads, does not stop doing so.
"I don`t know if that is Pakistani policy, but if it
were to become Pakistani policy, it would be a major mistake,"
Burns said.
Bureau Report
