By IANS,
New Delhi : Terming as “ideal” India’s assistance in rebuilding Afghanistan, visiting US Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates Wednesday urged New Delhi and Islamabad to be transparent about their efforts in the war-torn country. He also warned that terrorists operating in Af-Pak region could provoke a war on the sub-continent.
“I think, frankly, the kind of extraordinary support India is providing is ideal,” he said at a press conference here.
At the same time, he added: “Let us be honest that there are real suspicions in both India and Pakistan about what the other is doing in Afghanistan. Let the countries take up the work with full transparency as this would help allay suspicions and provide greater opportunities for development.”
In this context, Gates appreciated the “insights” provided by his Indian counterpart, A.K. Antony, at their meeting earlier Wednesday on India’s efforts in Afghanistan.
Contending that the terrorists groups operating in the Af-Pak region were dangerous for the stability of the entire South Asian region, Gates sought greater cooperation among countries to reduce the threat.
“It is important to recognise the magnitude of threat the entire region (of South Asia) faces. These (terrorist) groups (in Af-Pak region) are operating under the umbrella of Al Qaeda and are orchestrating attacks using one element in Afghanistan, one element in Pakistan and working with the Lashkar-e-Taiba to plan attacks in India,” Gates maintained.
“They are a syndicate of terrorists operating to destabilise the region. All of us should reduce the threat and eliminate it whenever possible. It requires high level of cooperation,” Gates maintained.
“It (the terrorist syndicate) is intended to destabilize not only Afghanistan or Pakistan but whole region. They may lead India and Pakistan to war by a provocative act. It is dangerous for the whole region,” he added.
Gates arrived in India Tuesday on a two-day visit. He has met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A.K. Antony and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna.