India, US deliberate on Afghanistan ahead of NATO summit

New Delhi, May 17: Ahead of the crucial

meet on

next week in Chicago, India and the

today discussed the security situation in the war-torn country, including safe terror havens in the region and the

Network.

A US inter-agency team consisting of representatives of the Departments of Defence, State and National Security Council, led by Peter Lavoy, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defence for Asia and Pacific Security Affairs, held discussions with Indian officials from ministries of Defence and External Affairs, government sources said. The Indian side comprised, among others, Jawed Ashraf, Joint Secretary (AMS) in the Ministry of External Affairs.

The discussions between the two sides included the security situation in Afghanistan, economic assistance and reconstruction programmes, official sources said, adding even though India is not part of the Chicago meet, the US has been trying to keep it in the loop on developments there.

The NATO summit will be held on May 20-21 and will focus on exit of combat forces from Afghanistan by 2014.

PTI