New Delhi: As President Barack Obama
announced a new Afghan-Pakistan strategy, the US on Wednesday said its "core goal" is disrupting, dismantling and defeating
terror networks in those two countries, an aspiration shared
with India.
In a statement here, Ambassador Timothy J Roemer said
India and the US must unite in commitment of civilian
resources and provide the tools for economic development and
humanitarian aid to eliminate the extremist violence.
"India is a key, global partner of the United States and
we value the positive role India continues to play in the
region, including its significant humanitarian contributions
to Afghanistan," he said.
"Our nations share a common goal -- to see a world free
of the global terrorism that threatens our people where they
worship, live, work, and study. We are committed to working
steadfastly together to accomplish this goal," the envoy said.
Roemer said, "Our core goal in Afghanistan and Pakistan
-- to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat terrorist networks -- is
an aspiration we share with India."
Referring to Obama's announcement, he said the President
has "directed us" to work together to strengthen the Afghan
National Security Forces so that the Afghans can take the lead
in reclaiming and governing their own country.
"We are helping to create jobs for the Afghans which are
critical to undermining the appeal of the brutal extremists
while insuring sustainable, economic growth in the long term,
with agriculture as our top development priority," Roemer
said.
The Ambassador added that to make the new strategy
effective, the US and Pakistan must work together to "hold
terrorists accountable for their actions and to offer terror
networks no safe haven."
Obama announced sending of 30,000 additional troops to
Afghanistan with an aim of defeating the Taliban.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, December 02, 2009, 22:22