M A I N   N E W S

Threat to Indian mission in Kabul real: Krishna
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 11
Describing the situation in Afghanistan as ‘very disturbing’, the External Affairs Minister S M Krishna today said the threats of fresh terror attacks on the Indian Embassy in the capital city of Kabul were real. Interacting with visiting journalists from Eastern Europe, Krishna, who has just returned from a visit to Kabul, said “I did talk about the threat to our embassy and consular offices recently. The threats are real and some of the attacks were successful, some others were thwarted. We have lost many precious lives in Kabul because of these assaults.”

He said India has recently redesigned its chancery in Kabul “to protect ourselves" and the Afghan government supported its security efforts by providing round-the-clock vigil to the embassy. “Of late, there has not been any instance of attack.It has been pointed out by the intelligence agencies of India, Afghanistan and other friendly countries who are in action there. We are constantly reminding ourselves of the grim possibilities of terror threats," he added. Referring to India’s relations with Pakistan, the minister said India was ready to go "more than half way" in normalising ties with the neighbouring country if it showed more sensitivity towards New Delhi's concerns on the issue of terrorism.