India rejects reports of US' over-the-horizon strikes in Afghanistan

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said conversation in the US Congressional hearing on Afghanistan is 'slightly different from the media reports.

New Delhi: India on Thursday rejected media reports suggesting that the US was in touch with it to explore the option of carrying out 'over-the-horizon' counter-terror strikes in Afghanistan.

While responding to a question on the issue at a press briefing, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that the conversation in the US Congressional hearing on Afghanistan is "slightly different" from the media reports.

"I would not like to respond to media reports on this issue. I would request you to go through the actual conversation in the US Congress' foreign affairs committee hearings which is slightly different from the media reports. I do not have any further information to share on this," he said.

Asked whether the US can use the provisions of the three foundational defence agreements signed between the two sides to seek such an option from India, Bagchi said "no".The MEA spokesperson added that nobody can force India.