Hillary Clinton says: US to continue its existence in Afghanistan

KABUL: (MEP) – US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton reassured India of her country’s continued engagement in Afghanistan following her visit to India, khaama reported.

While speaking during a joint press conference in New Delhi, Mrs. Clinton said, United States will continue to its presence in various in Afghanistan beyond US troop’s drawdown.

Mrs. Clinton’s comments come after Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna expressed concern about withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.

Speaking in the port city of Chennai, Secretary Clinton put it straight and said troop withdrawal means not the end of US engagement in Afghanistan.

Mrs. Clinton further added, “Let me be clear… drawing down is not the same as disengaging.”

She also said, “We will continue targeting terrorists and supporting the Afghan army and police… and we will continue our efforts to help the Afghan people rebuild after three decades of war.”

New Delhi is hugely concerned about US troop drawdown, fearing Afghanistan would once again become a safe haven for the Taliban to threaten regional stability and India’s interests.

In regards to Pakistan’s involvement in fight against terrorism she said, Pakistan should do everything possible to stop its territory being used for attacks that destabilize Afghanistan or India.

Mrs. Clinton further added, “We all need to be on the same page for this to work” no matter “whether we live in Kabul or Islamabad, New Delhi or Washington.”