India, US deliberate on Afghanistan ahead of NATO summit

New Delhi, May 18 (PTI) Ahead of the crucial NATO meet on Afghanistan next week in Chicago, India and the US Thursday discussed the security situation in the war-torn country, including safe terror havens in the region and the Haqqani network. A US inter-agency team consisting of representatives of the Departments of Defense, State and National Security Council, led by Peter Lavoy, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Asia and Pacific Security Affairs, held discussions with Indian officials from ministries of Defence and External affairs, government sources said. The discussions between the two sides included the security situation in Afghanistan, economic assistance and reconstruction programmes, they said, adding even though India is not part of the Chicago meet, it is the US attempt to keep it in the loop on developments there. Other focus areas during the deliberations included issues of safe havens, the Haqqani network as well as the forthcoming NATO summit in Chicago, they said. The NATO summit to be held during May 20-21 will focus on the crucial issue of exit of combat forces from Afghanistan by 2014. PTI