Washington, Sep 23 - External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna has dismissed suggestions that India's growing involvement in Afghanistan is intended to encircle Pakistan, a fear prevalent in some circles in Islamabad.

'I think that is a baseless allegation,' he said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, adding: 'India's role in Afghanistan is to help them to stabilise on their

infrastructure development.'

'That's our immediate concern. That is the reason why we were asked to come to Afghanistan. We are building roads, we are building school buildings and we are building transmission lines,' the minister pointed out.

India is heavily investing in Afghanistan, particularly in infrastructure projects such as roads, hospitals, schools and the new parliament building in Kabul. Indian reconstruction aid totals $1.2 billion. Krishna said the investment was worth the risk despite the continued conflict.

India, he said, believes there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and that NATO combat operations should give way to a political settlement with the Taliban.

'India doesn't believe that war can solve any problem and that applies to Afghanistan also,' Krishna said.