New Delhi, Jan 20 (IANS) Asking India and Pakistan to be transparent about their assistance to Afghanistan, visiting US Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates Wednesday said that the terrorists operating in Af-Pak region could provoke a war on the sub-continent.
Contending that the terrorists groups were dangerous for the stability of the entire South Asian region, Gates sought greater cooperation among countries to reduce the threat.

“It is important to recognise the magnitude of threat the entire region (of South Asia) faces. These (terrorist) groups (in Af-Pak region) are operating under the umbrella of Al Qaeda and are orchestrating attacks using one element in Afghanistan, one element in Pakistan and working with the Lashkar-e-Taiba to plan attacks in India,” Gates said at a press conference here.

“They are a syndicate of terrorists operating to destabilise the region. All of us should reduce the threat and eliminate it whenever possible. It requires high level of cooperation,” Gates maintained.

“It (the terrorist syndicate) is intended to destabilize not only Afghanistan or Pakistan but whole region. They may lead India and Pakistan to war by a provocative act. It is dangerous for the whole region,” he added.

Gates arrived in India Tuesday on a two-day visit. He has met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A.K. Antony and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna.

Terming the assistance provided by India in rebuilding strife-torn Afghanistan “ideal”, Gates suggested greater transparency on part of New Delhi and Islamabad on the projects being undertaken would allay their “suspicions” about each other.

“I think, frankly, the kind of extraordinary support India is providing is ideal…. Let us be honest that there are real suspicions in both India and Pakistan about what the other is doing in Afghanistan. Let the countries take up the work with full transparency as this would help allay suspicions and provide greater opportunities for development,” he contended.

In this context, Gates appreciated the “insights” provided by Antony on India’s efforts in Afghanistan.