A senior United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation commander in Afghanistan on Wednesday lauded India's contribution towards restoring peace and stability in the neighbouring country, PTI reported. General John Nicholson, who met India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Defence Secretary G Mohan Kumar to discuss Afghanistan and terrorism in the region, said India has "enormously" helped the country fight the Islamic State group with its military supplies.

India has recently provided four Mi-25 helicopters to Afghanistan. Nicholson said, "The Afghans have asked for more of these helicopters. There is an immediate need for more." The commander further said that the US supports such military help to Afghanistan and that it was looking to India for spare parts for the Russian-made aircraft, reported The Times of India.

Asked whether there was a growing concern in Pakistan about India's role in Afghanistan, Nicholson said, "I think it is an accurate statement." He added that US has been increasingly pressuring Pakistan to do more to contain jihadists. He said, "We consistently encourage Pakistan to take action against terrorist groups that operate from its territory and close down their safe havens."