Washington, Nov 5 (IANS): Describing a strong US-India partnership as an important factor for Afghanistan's peace and prosperity, a leading US senator has welcomed India's positive contribution to Afghanistan's reconstruction.

Senator Mark Kirk, a Republican member of the Senate India Caucus from Illinois conveyed these views during a meeting Thursday with the Indian Ambassador to the US Nirupama Rao at Capitol Hill.

Rao and Kirk exchanged views on India-US bilateral relations and took positive note of the growing momentum of cooperation across a wide range of issues, according to an Indian embassy news release.

Rao and Kirk discussed the situation in Afghanistan and the common interests of India and US in the long-term peace, security and development of Afghanistan.

Rao referred to India's robust development assistance to Afghanistan and India's vision for an independent sovereign, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, emerging as the hub for trade, transportation and energy linking Central and South Asia, the embassy said.

Kirk, who is also a Commander rank officer in the US Navy Reserve visited Afghanistan recently on a two-week tour of duty.