PM Modi, Nawaz Sharif's Recent Engagement Cause for Cautious Optimism: US Official

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to invite leaders of South Asian countries, including Afghanistan and Pakistan, at his swearing in ceremony demonstrates his interest in regional co-operation, according to a top Obama Administration official.

"Prime Minister Modi invited both (Afghanistan) President (Hamid) Karzai and (Pakistan) Prime Minister (Nawaz) Sharif to join other regional leaders at his inaugural, demonstrating his interest in regional cooperation," said James Dobbins, the Special United States Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Dobbins said one of the potentially positive factors weighing in favour of stability in Afghanistan is the increasing convergence of regional interests.

"States across the region are recognising that their stability is linked to Afghanistan's stability and prosperity," he said, adding that last year, after Karzai chose to delay signing the Bilateral Security Agreement, leaders of China, Russia, India and Pakistan each engaged with him to urge that he conclude the agreement.

"It is extraordinary that the Russians, Chinese, Indians and Pakistanis would all support the continuation of a US and NATO military mission in Afghanistan for at least several more years," the top US official said.

"Clearly, as this unusual conjunction of regional views indicates, the US and NATO drawdown is a source of anxiety for regional powers. Pakistan, Uzbekistan and China all fear Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for their own hostile militant groups. India fears Afghanistan again becoming a training ground for terrorist groups targeting them. Russia remains concerned about the flow of narcotics. Iran and Pakistan fear new floods of refugees," he said.

"For the present these varying concerns have led to a convergence of policy, in favour -- Iran excepted -- of a continued US and NATO presence, and in support of the existing constitutional regime in Kabul. The US consults with all of these countries in various multilateral forums, and -- again with the exception of Iran -- does so on a frequent bilateral basis," he added.

Kelly Magsamen, the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, said that an improved relationship between Pakistan and India is essential to regional stability.

"The recent engagement between Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and newly elected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is cause for cautious optimism," she said.

"Recognizing the important role the United States has to play in terms of regional engagement, we hold trilateral dialogues with Afghanistan and Pakistan, and with Afghanistan and India. These meetings are held in addition to formal and informal bilateral engagements with each of these countries on issues relating to regional security," Megsamen said.