Applauding India’s efforts in rebuilding the post-Taliban Afghanistan, the Obama administration has said it had “actively consulted” New Delhi during the comprehensive review of its Afghan-Pakistan policy.

“The US has actively consulted India while developing its strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan,” Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher told a group of South Asian reporters on Friday.

“I think, we had very good consultations with India so far and we hope to work closely with them as we go forward,” he said, adding New Delhi has been very positive and active when it comes to Afghanistan.

Boucher noted that Richard Holbrooke, the special US envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, had made a trip to New Delhi and Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon had come to Washington during this review process. He also praised India’s efforts in the redevelopment of Afghanistan, post-Taliban. “India has been a major donor and has done some very good work in Afghanistan,” he said.

“As far as any rivalry between India and Pakistan, I think, quite contrary, this strategy makes us possible for all of us to really deal with the counter-terrorist strategy in the region, which effects India and Pakistan alike,” he said.

The Assistant Secretary of State said the US has always supported efforts by Indians and Pakistanis themselves to reduce tensions and “we will continue to support whatever steps they agree upon”.