India plays key role in region: US

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Jan 8 (PTI) Describing India as a key
regional player, the Obama Administration Friday said it is
important for the US to keep the country informed on its
policies towards Afghanistan and Pakistan.
"Obviously India plays a very key role in the region, and
it is important for them to be kept apprised of everything
that's occurring," Daniel F Feldman, Deputy to Special US
Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke,
told foreign correspondents at a special briefing.
Feldman said Holbrooke has frequent communication with
his counterparts and others in India.
"He tries to stop there ... when he is in the region to
continue the conversations and update the Indian government on
what he is doing and to be inclusive in efforts that is going
on," he said.
"So the role and importance of India is certainly
recognised, but his portfolio is solely Afghanistan and
Pakistan," Feldman said, insisting that Holbrooke's title is
Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
"There is nothing about India in there. His focus is
exclusively on those two countries of Afghanistan and
Pakistan," he said. (More) PTI