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            US Encourages India to Play Greater Role in Afghanistan

   U.S. officials say Defense Secretary Leon Panetta will encourage India
   to take a more active role in Afghanistan, as he meets with officials
   to discuss regional security and defense relations.
   Panetta arrived Tuesday in New Delhi for two days of talks.  He is
   scheduled to meet with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, National
   Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon and Defense Minister A.K. Antony.
   He will make a policy speech on Wednesday.
   U.S. defense officials say there is a risk that "the tensions and
   historical mistrust between India and Pakistan could lead them to view
   their respective roles in Afghanistan as being in conflict."  But the
   officials told reporters traveling with Panetta that the longtime
   rivals have a shared interest in peace and stability in Afghanistan.
   Pakistan has long felt it has a strategic interest in Afghanistan, and
   is especially concerned about the diplomatic, political, and economic
   inroads made there by its archrival, India.
   India has provided $2 billion in aid to Afghanistan, and last October
   the two countries signed a strategic agreement pledging deeper security
   and economic ties.  India is already helping Afghan security forces
   prepare for the withdrawal of international troops set to be completed
   by the end of 2014.
   The talks between Panetta and Indian officials will also include what
   the Pentagon calls "Asia re-balancing."  Panetta told a security forum
   in Singapore Saturday the U.S. Navy would shift the majority of its
   ships to the Pacific by 2020 as part of a strategic focus on Asia.
   U.S. officials say India can help promote security and stability in the
   Indian Ocean region and the South Asian country has been singled out in
   the new U.S. strategy.
   U.S. and Indian officials are also expected to discuss greater military
   cooperation.
   Defense Secretary Panetta's visit to New Delhi - his first since
   assuming the post last year -- follows a stop in India last month by
   U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-encourages-india-to-play-greater-role-in-afghanistan/1150537.html