US President Barack Obama on Monday said American troops will begin pulling out from Afghanistan next year but made it clear that his country will not leave the people or the region to violent extremists “who threaten us all.”

Obama claimed the US-led coalition forces were making progress in their mission to break the Taliban’s momentum and to train Afghan forces so they can take the lead for their security.

In his address to members of both houses of Parliament, the US President acknowledged India’s contribution in reconstructing Afghanistan.

“America’s fight against al Qaeda and its terrorist affiliates is why we persevere in Afghanistan, where major development assistance from India has improved the lives of the Afghan people. We’re making progress in our mission to break the Taliban’s momentum and to train Afghan forces so they can take the lead for their security,” he said.

Obama said he had made it clear that American forces will begin the transition to Afghan responsibility next summer and that America’s commitment to the Afghan people will endure.

“The United States will not abandon the people of Afghanistan or the region to the violent extremists who threaten us all,” he said.

The US President said the US’ strategy to “disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and its affiliates has to succeed on both sides of the border.”

“That is why we have worked with the Pakistani government to address the threat of terrorist networks in the border region”.

“The Pakistani government increasingly recognizes that these networks are not just a threat outside of Pakistanthey are a threat to the Pakistani people who have suffered greatly at the hands of violent extremists,” Obama said.

“We must also recognise that all of us have an interest in both Afghanistan and a Pakistan that is stable, prosperous and democraticand none more so than India,” Obama said.