Washington: The United States declared Afghanistan a major, non-NATO ally on Saturday. With this assurance Afghans will now on not be abandoned after all U.S. combat troops leave the country in 2014.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the decision, made by President Barack Obama, during her unannounced visit to Kabul where she met President Hamid Karzai on the eve of a major donors' conference in Tokyo which will draw pledges for aid
Clinton, who also met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai reportedly, has termed the move a “powerful symbol” of Washington's commitment to the Afghan people.
It is remarkable that Afghanistan now becomes the 15th country to be declared a major non-NATO U.S. ally. Others include Pakistan, Egypt, Israel and Japan.