Indian missions under constant threat in Afghanistan: Krishna

New Delhi, Jan 7 (PT) A day ahead of his visit to
Afghanistan, India's External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on
Friday said Indian missions in that country were under
constant threat but Afghan government has "fully assured" New
Delhi of their security.
Noting that several lives have been lost due to attacks
on Indian missions, Krishna said the government was working
with the Afghan government to ensure that enough protection
was provided to embassy and consulates to avoid any more
casualties.
"We have been fully assured by President Hamid Karzai and
his government of that (security)," he said.
Apart from staff in missions, some 4,000 Indians are
building roads, sanitation projects and power lines in the
country. India is also building the new Afghan Parliament.
In February last year, nine Indians were killed in a
Taliban suicide attack on foreigners in Kabul, which claimed
16 lives and left 20 people critically injured.
Besides its embassy in Kabul, India has consulates in
Jalalabad, Kandahar, Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat.
During his two day visit, Krishna will take up a host of
issues, including regional security situation and safety of
Indian nationals in that country.
The visit is also expected to underline the importance of
Indian involvement in reconstruction of the war-torn country.
India has pledged USD 1.3 billion for reconstruction
activities.
Apart from holding talks with his Afghan counterpart
Zalmay Rassoul, Krishna is expected to call on President Hamid
Karzai and the Deputy Prime Minister.
Given India's reservation to proposed reintegration of
the Taliban, Krishna is also expected to reiterate New Delhi's
position on 'Afghan-led and Afghan-owned' peace deal.
Krishna's visit also comes amidst Afghanistan
government's move to enlist Islamabad's help to broker peace
with the Taliban. PTI