'I know there is a certain sensitivity maybe about that, but I don't see that it should be the case,' US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg told a conference at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars in Washington, DC on Monday.
'China has an important role -- it's a neighbour of South Asia -- and it's unimaginable that China would not be involved,' he added.
Saying that Chinese involvement could help peace and stability, specifically in Afghanistan and Pakistan, he added: 'We would like Chinese involvement to be constructive, to help us deal with the challenge of peace and stability in Afghanistan, and dealing with making sure that it doesn't become a terrorist haven again, which would threaten all of us.'
Steinberg Said the US would like to see India take a more proactive role in East China and that Washington considers New Delhi a 'key partner' in Asia.
'We see India as (an) East Asian country. We engage with them on issues like North Korea and the like because we think of the importance that India plays,' he said.
