NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to invite leaders of South Asian countries, including Afghanistan and Pakistan, at his swearing in ceremony demonstrates his interest in regional co-operation, according to a top Obama Administration official.
"Prime Minister Modi invited both (Afghanistan) President (Hamid) Karzai and (Pakistan) Prime Minister (Nawaz) Sharif to join other regional leaders at his inaugural, demonstrating his interest in regional cooperation," said James Dobbins, the Special United States Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Dobbins said one of the potentially positive factors weighing in favour of stability in Afghanistan is the increasing convergence of regional interests.
"States across the region are recognising that their stability is linked to Afghanistan's stability and prosperity," he said, adding that last year, after Karzai chose to delay signing the Bilateral Security Agreement, leaders of China, Russia, India and Pakistan each engaged with him to urge that he conclude the agreement.
"It is extraordinary that the Russians, Chinese, Indians and Pakistanis would all support the continuation of a US and NATO military mission in Afghanistan for at least several more years," the top US official said.
"Clearly, as this unusual conjunction of regional views indicates, the US and NATO drawdown is a source of anxiety for regional powers. Pakistan, Uzbekistan and China all fear Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for their own hostile militant groups. India fears Afghanistan again becoming a training ground for terrorist groups targeting them. Russia remains concerned about the flow of narcotics. Iran and Pakistan fear new floods of refugees," he said.
READ MORE: Aamir Khan Faux Pas: Refers Madhya Pradesh as Bihar and Naxals: India's Biggest Threat
Magazine : 
.jpg "Renewing Smiles, Restoring Confidence")
