'India's role in Afghanistan is to help them to stabilize on their infrastructure development. That's our immediate concern. That is the reason why we were asked to come to Afghanistan. We are building roads, we are building school buildings and we are building transmission lines.'

Krishna dismissed suggestions that India's growing involvement in Afghanistan is intended to encircle Pakistan, a fear prevalent in some circles in Pakistan. 'I think that is a baseless allegation,' he said.

But Gen McChrystal has warned that India's growing influence in Afghanistan could 'exacerbate' regional tensions and encourage Pakistani 'countermeasures' in Afghanistan or India. But he admitted that 'Indian activities largely benefit the Afghan people'.

'Indian political and economic influence is increasing in Afghanistan, including significant development efforts and financial investment. In addition, the current Afghan government is perceived by Islamabad to be pro-Indian,' the general said.

'While Indian activities largely benefit the Afghan people, increasing Indian influence in Afghanistan is likely to exacerbate regional tensions and encourage Pakistani countermeasures in Afghanistan or India,' added McChrystal.