New Delhi: The European Union (EU) has asked India and other countries to give more funds for ongoing reconstruction efforts in war-ravaged Afghanistan.

In letters to India, Pakistan China, Iran, Japan and others besides the 15 EU member states, EU External Relations Commissioner Christopher Patten said Afghanistan was now at a "critical juncture".

"It is essential that the Afghan government is able to cover its operating expenses," he said.

In March this year donors had pledged $ 1.8 billion, maintaining the level of commitment made at the Tokyo conference in January 2003.

The European Commission contended that there was a serious imbalance between pledges made towards development activities and support for the recurrent budget.

In March this year, donors had pledged $ 169 million towards an estimated recurrent budget cost of $ 550 million.

Assuming the Afghan government was able to raise, as intended, $ 200 million domestic revenues, this still left a funding gap of $ 181 million.

PTI