Obama's budget proposes more aid to Pakistan

In a bid to address the rise of Al Qaeda [ Images ] and Taliban [ Images ] in Afghanistan and Pakistan, United States President Barack Obama's [ Images ] maiden budget has proposed more military aid to the two countries.

US military aid to Pakistan has remained a matter of intense discussion, however, the Congressmen this time are pitching to increase non-military aid by linking it with Islamabad's [ Images ] success in the fight against terrorism. The budget also seeks to increase the non-military aid.

When asked about the move at the Pentagon [ Images ] briefing, Joint Chief of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen [ Images ] said, "I think it's very important that we help them and develop this comprehensive strategy with Pakistan over a number of years. I'm delighted to see that kind of support in the 2010 budget."

The budget also proposes increasing non military aid to Afghanistan. "External challenges include undertaking a responsible drawdown of troops from Iraq and focusing the appropriate resources on achieving US objectives in Afghanistan," said the section of the budget related to the Defence Department.

The State Department budget also seeks an increase in the non-military aid to Afghanistan and Pakistan to revitalise economic development and confront the resurgence of the Taliban.