By IANS,
New Delhi : India Tuesday said the US should “factor ground realities” before exiting Afghanistan and ensure that the war torn country was able to defend itself against Taliban terrorists.
“It is necessary for the US to factor ground realities so that Afghanistan would be in a position to defend itself against Taliban,” External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said in a joint press conference with his American counterpart Hillary Clinton.
Krishna was asked what assurances the US had given on the plan to pull out its troops from Afghanistan. India is investing heavily in rebuilding the country.
“It is necessary for the US to work closely with President (Hamid) Karzai and create conditions where terrorists don’t make any advances,” the minister said.
He said India had been “closely” following the happenings in Afghanistan.
“We have a special relationship with Afghanistan which is civilisational as well as transactional,” he said.
Krishna and Clinton jointly addressed the media after the two leaders met for the second India-US strategic dialogue at Hyderabad House.