The US secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, on Tuesday said the new strategy signals clear support for the Afghan people and their government.

“New strategy breaks from approaches that set artificial calendar-based deadlines,” Tillerson said after US President Donald Trump announced his strategy for Afghanistan.

“We are making clear to the Taliban that they will not win on the battlefield,” he said. “Taliban has a path to peace and political legitimacy through a negotiated political settlement. We stand ready to support peace talks between Afghan government and the Taliban.”

He also said that the US looks to the international community, particularly Afghanistan’s neighbors, to join the US government in supporting the Afghan peace process.

“Pakistan has suffered greatly from terrorism and can be an important partner in our shared goals of peace and stability. Pakistan should take decisive action against militant groups based in Pakistan that are a threat to the region,” he said.

“It is vital to US interests that Afghanistan and Pakistan prevent terrorist sanctuaries,” he added.

He also pointed out that India will be an important partner in effort to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan.

“We welcome its (India’s) role in supporting Afghanistan,” he stressed.