Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai says that Pakistan in its bilateral talks with his country has been demanding the reduced role of India in Afghanistan. In an interview to a newspaper, Mr Mr. Karzai said these demands were made at every leadership level and regularly. He said this demand was raised throughout his presedntial terms.

While Mr. Karzai refused to name the Pakistani leaders who made the specific requests to him when he was President, he said that the crux of the matter is that the demand came from Islamabad to tell India to reduce its presence, and he refused to enteratain them. India has granted aid worth two billion dollars and provides civil and military training to Afghanistan, while Indian companies are involved in several reconstruction projects. Mr. Karzai is in Delhi for the first time since he demitted office.