US says China has 'important role' in South Asia

Shrugging off India's concerns, the US has underscored China's "important role" in South Asia, even as it said that New Delhi had a stake in East Asia.

It was "unimaginable" that Beijing would not be involved in this strategically significant part of the world that includes countries like India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, deputy secretary of state James Steinberg said at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars.

At the same time, he said: "Just as we talk about South Asia with China, we talk about East Asia with India. That's an important part of our dialogue.

"We just had a very, very productive meeting chaired on our side by assistant secretary (of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs) Kurt Campbell with the Indian counterparts".

"We engage with them on issues like North Korea and the like because we think of the importance that India plays," Steinberg said.

On China, he said Beijing has an "important role" in South Asia. "It's a neighbour of South Asia. And it's unimaginable that China would not be involved," he said in response to a question after delivering a speech on 'Impact of US-China Relations in Asia'.

India had expressed its displeasure last year after a joint US-China statement, following the visit of US president Barack Obama to Beijing, had called for cooperation between India and Pakistan in South Asia.

"I know there is a certain sensitivity may be about that, but I don't see that it should be the case," Steinberg said of the Indian concerns. "The question is can we work together in a positive way on shared interests in creating peace, stability and economic opportunity in South Asia?"

"India has a good and rich relationship with China. Very fortunate to have the very knowledgeable China hands now at senior levels in the Indian government. And I think that's a good thing," Steinberg said.

Seeking a constructive Chinese involvement to help the US deal with the challenge of peace and stability in Afghanistan, he said it needs to be ensured that the war-torn country does not become a terrorist haven again.

He also sought the Chinese cooperation "to allow democracy to continue in Pakistan, and to deal with economic challenges that they face so a more secure Pakistan can be a better partner for India and other countries in the region," Steinberg argued."

"So, I see many positive reasons for China to be involved. It will be involved because its interests are there, and its economic interests, security interests, political interests. But it ought to be done in a way that's not at the expense of others. And it's clear that we are very sensitive to the interests of all our partners there."