Wednesday, December 7 2005 10:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Describing India as a 'very close partner' in the war against terror, the US has stressed the importance of sharing intelligence between the two countries to face the threat.

"In terms of the war on terrorism, we have a very close partner in both these countries (India and Pakistan) as we move forward to winning the war on terrorism," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters yesterday (Dec 6,2005).

He was responding to a question on where India stands as far as support for US war on terrorism is concerned, in the context of the killing of Border Roads Organisation driver M R Kutty in Afghanistan by alleged Taliban militia.

McClellan said both India and Pakistan were committed to do "All they can to protect their citizens from the threat of terrorism and they are taking steps to address those threats."

"And it's important that we also continue to share intelligence and cooperate in many ways to address these threats," he said.

On quake relief, McClellan said that India has 'a lot of capability' to respond to the needs of their people.

"But we always stand ready to assist India in any way possible, as well," he said.

Asked about the perception in Pakistan that the quake aid was not getting to the levels it should, he said, "I think that they are seeing the true generosity and compassion of the American people."

"They're seeing that through the example of our military that has provided substantial help to people, particularly in the hardest hit areas of Pakistan, providing important equipment and resources to help get people out of harm's way and to help provide much needed relief to those people," he said.