WASHINGTON: The United States on Friday welcomed India's boost in assistance to Afghanistan and called New Delhi a regional leader, despite expected concerns in Pakistan over the aid.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday pledged $500 million in fresh aid to Afghanistan, raising the Indian contribution to $2 billion, on a visit to Kabul that came days after Pakistan was jolted by Osama bin Laden's killing.

Robert Blake, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, said that Prime Minister Singh “recognised India's enhanced position as a regional leader”.

His visit to Kabul “underscored India's strong efforts to support international efforts to rebuild a secure and stable Afghanistan,” Mr Blake said at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a think-tank.

Mr Blake also hailed Mr Singh for reaching out to Pakistan.

Mr Singh invited Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to watch a World Cup cricket match in March, the first time in a decade that a Pakistani leader visited the historic rival.

Mr Blake said that better ties between India and Pakistan could bring wider economic integration to the region.

“India's economic rise presents an enormous opportunity for Pakistan, and the normalisation of economic ties could provide immense benefits to millions of entrepreneurs, farmers and businesspeople in both countries,” Mr Blake said.—AFP