US to have a very important strategic relationship with India: Rice

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said that the United States would continue to build a close relationship with India while maintaining a partnership with Pakistan.

Washington, Dec 24 : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said that the United States would continue to build a close relationship with India while maintaining a partnership with Pakistan.

Rice reviewed US foreign policies during 2007, and explained how Washington planned to pursue its foreign policy goals during 2008-09.

She noted that there has been some progress towards democracy in Pakistan.

"Free and fair elections ... will advance the goal of a moderate, democratic Pakistan that is a partner in the war on terrorism," Rice said.

"At the same time, we will continue building a new and very important strategic relationship with India," she added.

In Afghanistan, Rice said the US and its Nato and Afghan allies were engaged in a fight against Taliban and al Qaeda terrorists that they "must and will win".

She said the US would continue to support the Afghan Government.

On Iran, Rice expressed a readiness to meet her counterpart "any place, anytime and anywhere and to talk about anything" provided it does just one thing - "suspend its enrichment and reprocessing activities".

"Let's see if countries are prepared to take that path. But the US doesn't have permanent enemies," the Dawn quoted Rice, as saying.

ANI