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"We are not scaling down our operations in Afghanistan, we are taking all necessary security measures to safeguard Indian lives there," Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said at the Woodrow Wilson Centre.
Terming the February 26 terror strike in Kabul as a "barbaric attack against Indians engaged in humanitarian and development work in Afghanistan", she said it was carried out by those who do not wish any other future for Afghanistan "except one that suits their sinister ambitions."
The attack, which left seven Indians dead, was aimed at forcing New Delhi out of Afghanistan, Rao, who is in the US on a six-day visit, said.
"International community should understand that such attempts, if unchecked, would only embolden the same forces that held sway in Afghanistan in the 1990s and caused the tragedy of 9/11," Rao said.
She also said that there could not be a distinction between a good Taliban and bad Taliban. Rao said there was "no quick solution" to the Af-Pak situation and it is "important for international community, in its own interest, to stay the present course for as long as it was necessary."
The deteriorating situation in Afghanistan remains the foremost security-related challenge, Rao said addressing the prestigious Centre.
The Indian government is in the process of building a well-protected chancery-cum-living quarters in Kabul, which will house over 500 Indians within its safe confines. The construction is on in full swing on a piece of land in Kabul that India had bought in 1963 in the diplomatic area.
Boom-barriers, refurbished walls to withstand impact of a bomb blast and infra-red CCTV cameras among others would also be put into place, while ITBP commandos would provide round-the-clock security to the buildings within the area. About 4,000 Indians are engaged in reconstruction projects in health, power, roads and social sector across Afghanistan.
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Well said, Nirupama, and of course the Indian Government. India is committed to humanitarian help to Afghanistan - Government and the people. May we stand united in supporting the Indian Government in this cause.
What India is doing may seem inappropriate to many as Indians money is being spent on something which they think won't benefit them , but the thing here is not just good ties with Karzai's govt. ; but the future of not spending millions to in guarding from the groups those unattended wounds-physical and mental- would create.Moreover by closing our eyes we will just be a part of the talibans.
US will trap INdia in Afgahnistan and leave, India will keep bleeding, get out before its too late, but yes ther are strong and assertive tones now emitting from Inida and thats a welcome sign, keep going Nirupama
Nirupama means no parallel. Of course there is no parallel in history to UPAs' undiplomatic moves of dancing to the tune of other country at our own peril. Afghan's safety is not priority than our own and the Kharzai government is cosying up with ISI and we are condemning the ISI are meddling in Afghan affairs in the name of aid and help.What has our rationalist to say to this double standard?
why India is spending millions in afghanistan for what?US will leave afghanistan by 2011 after that 100% Taliban will be in power.( may be before that they will come to power)Then they will start to cut the Indians neck.My advise is before that withdrew all Indians from afghanistan.The situvation in afghanistan is very dangerous some NATO members in Afghanistan paying money to Taliban for not to attack them. what kharazi said during his trip to pak afghanistan and pakistan is twin brothers and nobody can separate them. spend this money in India for its poor people for their development .our health ,power,roads and social sector are in poor condition. we are not a rich country like US.