India 'important' for US success in Afghanistan, Pakistan: Holbrooke

Washington, Jan.22 (ANI): US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke has said that India is 'important' for America's success in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"I want to be sure that everyone here recognises how centrally important India will be to this (the US success in Afghanistan and Pakistan)," Holbrooke said, while addressing lawmakers at a Congressional hearing on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Holbrooke, who visited India recently, told the hearing, which was convened by Senate Foreign Relations Committee chaired by Senator John Kerry, that even though New Delhi is not part of his mandate, it is important to keep it informed about the situation in the troubled Af-Pak region.

"I don't think it would be valuable to go into details in the public forum, but I do want to stress that the Indians are very, very anxious that we succeed in Afghanistan. They're supporting us," Holbrooke said.

He also supported the numerous developmental works being carried out by India in Afghanistan.

"They are giving Afghanistan a lot of aid, particularly in the field of agriculture, which is also our primary non-security priority," Holbrooke said. (ANI)