India performed constructive function in Afghanistan, says Pentagon

India has performed a constructive function in Afghanistan previously, the Pentagon acknowledged on Monday. “India has played a constructive role in Afghanistan in the past in terms of training and other infrastructure improvements,” Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby informed reporters at his day by day information convention.

“That kind of work, that kind of effort to help Afghanistan maintain stability and good governances is always welcome,” he stated when requested about India-US cooperation on Afghanistan.Responding to a query, Kirby stated the United States continues to have conversations with Pakistani management in regards to the protected havens that exist alongside that border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.Also See: Taliban press on, take one other Afghan provincial capital “We are mindful that those safe havens are only providing a source of more insecurity and more instability inside Afghanistan. We are not bashful about having that discussion with Pakistani leaders,” he stated.“We are also mindful that Pakistan and the Pakistani people also fall victim to terrorist activities that emanate from that region. So, we all have a shared sense of the importance of closing down those safe havens and not allowing them to be used by the Taliban or other terrorist networks to sew discord,” Kirby stated.“And again, we’re having that conversation with the Pakistanis all the time,” he added.Also See: Taliban seizes northern Afghanistan’s Kunduz province as battles rage onDefence Secretary Lloyd Austin, he stated, shares the priority of the worldwide group in regards to the safety state of affairs in Afghanistan which is clearly not moving into the appropriate course.“The secretary continues to believe that the Afghan Forces have the capability, they have the capacity to make a big difference on the battlefield,” he asserted.“He has maintained that we will continue to support them with the authority where and when feasible, understanding that it is not always going to be feasible. But where and when feasible will continue to support them with airstrikes, for instance,” he stated.“The other thing is we’re focused as we should be given the President’s direction, we’re focused on completing the drawdown by the end of the month and by transitioning to a different bilateral relationship with Afghan Forces that will be one of support, financial and logistical maintenance support from outside the country. That’s the focus, that’s what we’re driving at,” he added.Kirby stated the Taliban have been making advances. “No question. The Afghans have capacity. They have the capability. They have a capable air force,” he stated.Also Read | US Defence Secretary discusses Afghan state of affairs with Pakistan Army chiefAlso Read | Taliban kill lady for sporting tight garments in Afghanistan’s Balkh province