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US rejects Pak allegations on Indian presence in Afghanistan

October 20, 2009 13:57 IST

The Obama Administration has rejected Pakistan's allegations that the developmental efforts by India in Afghanistan are a security threat to it, saying a stable and more prosperous Afghanistan will only contribute to regional stability.

"I don't see how helping Afghanistan develop its economy and its infrastructure could be seen as a security threat to any other country in the region," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters on Monday.

"On the contrary, a stable and more prosperous Afghanistan is only going to contribute to regional stability," Kelly said when asked about Pakistan's allegation that the massive developmental efforts currently being undertaken by India poses a security threat to it.

India is one of the largest donors to Afghanistan post-Taliban. It is not only involved in some of the massive developmental projects currently being undertaken in Afghanistan, but also has contributed aides to the amount of more than USĀ $ 1.3 billion.

"I think, you know, the main thing is that we all conduct this in full transparency, that any side that is contributing towards the reconstruction of Afghanistan, that we do so in a cooperative way, we share as much information as possible," Kelly said.

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