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Panetta's trip to India stirs trouble with Pakistan
The Department of Defense on Tuesday was forced to allay Pakistani concerns following reports that Secretary Leon Panetta had called for a beefed up Indian role in Afghanistan during his meeting with political leaders in New Delhi.
“I think the reports have been slightly exaggerated,” department spokesman Capt. John Kirby told reporters during Tuesday's briefing. “I don't believe the secretary asked them … to do more rather than expressed how much he appreciated the work they were doing to help provide support in Afghanistan and some of the things that they were — that they have expressed interest in continuing to do in Afghanistan, but also in the region.
"And so I think it was really more a statement of appreciation for everything they've done and the hope that they'll continue to stay involved as a leader in the region.”
Panetta told the Indian officials that their country was “critical” to “promoting peace and stability in the region,” according to the department's own press shop, and spoke of “an increased Indian role in Afghanistan.”
The comments come at an inopportune time as U.S. relations with India's arch-rival, Pakistan, have hit new lows following the raid against Osama bin Laden's compound and the accidental killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers last year. The United States is currently negotiating with Pakistan to reopen NATO supply routes to Afghanistan, and played down Panetta's remarks to avoid further tensions.
Asked directly if Panetta had asked India for a deeper involvement in training the Afghan army and police, Kirby said the secretary “expressed gratitude for what they have done and — that his fervent hope that they'll continue to stay engaged in the region and in particular in helping Afghanistan as it moves forward.”
