A top US commander on Thursday said though the ongoing talks between the US and the Taliban have made considerable progress, much left to be done in war-torn Afghanistan.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump's South Asia Strategy is working in Afghanistan, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/fight-against-islamic-state-far-from-over-us-commander-201855">General Joseph Votel</a>, Commander of the US Central Command, told members of the House Armed Services Committee during a Congressional hearing.

"The efforts of our Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, are demonstrating that there is a path to progress...But there is much left to do to move towards our end state of reconciliation between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban," he said.

Khalilzad is currently leading a US delegation for talks with the Taliban in Doha. US officials have indicated that progress is being made in the dialogue.

"Our military efforts are focused on supporting the Afghan National Security Forces (ANDSF) and providing Ambassador Khalilzad with the maximum military pressure and leverage to support his diplomatic efforts to establish a framework that will lead to an Afghan dialogue, a reduction in violence and ultimately a negotiated settlement," Votel said.

He also noted that Afghanistan was used as a platform to attack America in 2001, and as such, the US has an enduring vital national interest to ensure that such an incident doesn't happen again.

"Safeguarding this national interest and preventing violent extremist organisations like al-Qaeda and ISIS-Khorasan from plotting attacks against our country is also a continuing effort for our forces --- one that we will need to be prepared to address as long as violent extremists can operate from this region," the commander said.&nbsp;

A top US commander on Thursday said though the ongoing talks between the US and the Taliban have made considerable progress, much left to be done in war-torn Afghanistan.

A top US commander on Thursday said though the ongoing talks between the US and the Taliban have made considerable progress, much left to be done in war-torn Afghanistan. President Donald Trump's South Asia Strategy is working in Afghanistan, General Joseph Votel, Commander of the US Central Command, told members of the House Armed Services Committee during a Congressional hearing. "The efforts of our Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, are demonstrating that there is a path to progress...But there is much left to do to move towards our end state of reconciliation between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban," he said. Khalilzad is currently leading a US delegation for talks with the Taliban in Doha. US officials have indicated that progress is being made in the dialogue. "Our military efforts are focused on supporting the Afghan National Security Forces (ANDSF) and providing Ambassador Khalilzad with the maximum military pressure and leverage to support his diplomatic efforts to establish a framework that will lead to an Afghan dialogue, a reduction in violence and ultimately a negotiated settlement," Votel said. He also noted that Afghanistan was used as a platform to attack America in 2001, and as such, the US has an enduring vital national interest to ensure that such an incident doesn't happen again. "Safeguarding this national interest and preventing violent extremist organisations like al-Qaeda and ISIS-Khorasan from plotting attacks against our country is also a continuing effort for our forces --- one that we will need to be prepared to address as long as violent extremists can operate from this region," the commander said.

Much left to be done in Afghanistan: US commander

Aligning with India&#39;s posture, a top American general today said China&#39;s Belt and Road Initiative could improve the Communist country&#39;s &quot;military posture&quot; while Gwadar Port has the potential increase its strategic presence in the Indian Ocean. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

&quot;China is pursuing long-term, steady economic growth that bolsters its international influence and access to energy resources,&quot; General Joseph Votel, Commander of the US Central Command, told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during a Congressional hearing. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

&quot;Its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which includes the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), could serve as a stabilising, profit-generating project in the region, but could also improve China&#39;s military posture,&quot; he said.

Votel said the collection of infrastructure projects provides China access to Gwadar Port in Pakistan which has the potential to increase its strategic presence in the Indian Ocean. Indian has been raising the same concern repeatedly.

&quot;China also recently established its first overseas military base adjacent to the Bab al Mandeb (BAM) in Djibouti. &nbsp;While Beijing claims both locations support peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, the new military base and port allow China to project forces more permanently within the region and influence strategically valuable trade waterways,&quot; he said.

China, Votel said, also seeks to increase its economic and diplomatic cooperation with Iran.

The lifting of &nbsp;UN sanctions under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) opened the path for Iran to resume membership application to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a Eurasian political, economic, and security organization. This, along with the existing BRI cooperation between the two nations, increases China&#39;s ties to Iran, he said.

China considers its relationship with the GCC states critical for its current economic needs, he added.

The Gulf States provide approximately one-third of China&#39;s oil, and Qatar is its single largest supplier of natural gas, Votel said.

The general said like Russia, China has sought to arbitrate some conflicts in the region, offering to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Iran. While China will continue to develop its relationships with nations in the Middle East, Beijing will likely maintain its stance of avoiding a major role in ongoing conflicts, he noted.

Votel said an increasingly assertive China is not only testing Russia&#39;s dominance in the economic and security arenas of Central Asia but also posing challenges to US influence.&nbsp;

&quot;China seeks to capitalise on regional concerns over what it perceives as waning US influence and support,&quot; he said. &nbsp;Toward this end, Beijing is building and strengthening trade, infrastructure, defense, and political relationships across the Middle East, Central and South Asia, he added.&nbsp;

The lifting of UN sanctions under the JCPOA opened the path for Iran to resume membership application to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a Eurasian political, economic, and security organization

Aligning with India's posture, a top American general today said China's Belt and Road Initiative could improve the Communist country's "military posture" while Gwadar Port has the potential increase its strategic presence in the Indian Ocean. "China is pursuing long-term, steady economic growth that bolsters its international influence and access to energy resources," General Joseph Votel, Commander of the US Central Command, told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during a Congressional hearing. "Its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which includes the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), could serve as a stabilising, profit-generating project in the region, but could also improve China's military posture," he said. Votel said the collection of infrastructure projects provides China access to Gwadar Port in Pakistan which has the potential to increase its strategic presence in the Indian Ocean. Indian has been raising the same concern repeatedly. "China also recently established its first overseas military base adjacent to the Bab al Mandeb (BAM) in Djibouti. While Beijing claims both locations support peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, the new military base and port allow China to project forces more permanently within the region and influence strategically valuable trade waterways," he said. China, Votel said, also seeks to increase its economic and diplomatic cooperation with Iran. The lifting of UN sanctions under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) opened the path for Iran to resume membership application to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a Eurasian political, economic, and security organization. This, along with the existing BRI cooperation between the two nations, increases China's ties to Iran, he said. China considers its relationship with the GCC states critical for its current economic needs, he added. The Gulf States provide approximately one-third of China's oil, and Qatar is its single largest supplier of natural gas, Votel said. The general said like Russia, China has sought to arbitrate some conflicts in the region, offering to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Iran. While China will continue to develop its relationships with nations in the Middle East, Beijing will likely maintain its stance of avoiding a major role in ongoing conflicts, he noted. Votel said an increasingly assertive China is not only testing Russia's dominance in the economic and security arenas of Central Asia but also posing challenges to US influence. "China seeks to capitalise on regional concerns over what it perceives as waning US influence and support," he said. Toward this end, Beijing is building and strengthening trade, infrastructure, defense, and political relationships across the Middle East, Central and South Asia, he added.

BRI could improve Chinese military posture, says top US general

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Much left to be done in Afghanistan: US commander

BRI could improve Chinese military posture, says top US general