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Former US president George W. Bush, who is in India for participating at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in Mumbai, has mentioned that India and the US needs to work together for combating the extremism prevailing in Afghanistan.
He also paid tribute to Indian democracy and Prime Minister Mamohan Singh and cited that the Indian prime Minister is a "really good man".
"The US and India should work together to win the war in Afghanistan," he said.
"If the Taliban, Al Qaeda and extremists are allowed to take over Afghanistan, they would have a safe haven again," he warned.
Mentioning India as "a modern and vibrant nation", he said that the common interest shared by India and the US is the foundation of their unity.
"I really, really like your prime minister. I am proud to call him a friend," he said.
He said he had great respect for India and said the two countries enjoyed a "special kinship".
"India is a modern and vibrant nation," the former president said. He added that India was "a tolerant, peaceful and multi-religious democracy" with a "dynamic middle class" and "a force for stability in one of the world's most strategic places".
Bush referred to the India-US nuclear deal signed during his presidency and said Washington "recognises India's nuclear weapons programme".
He also mentioned that India was a key player in the economic revival of the world.
"Both our nations are engaged in an ideological struggle," he said. The two countries sought "to advance our values of liberty, tolerance and hope".
He said the US and India should have one of the best relationships in the world. "It is not going to happen immediately."
