India assures Afghanistan on development

India has assured Afghanistan that no terrorist attack can have an impact on New Delhi's determination to assist in reconstructing and developing the war-torn country.

The message was conveyed by Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh who met the top Afghanistan leadership, including President Hamid Karzai, during her first visit abroad Aug 23-25.

She assumed office July 31.

Suicide bombers had targeted the Consulate General of India in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad Aug 3, detonating an explosives-packed car and killing nine civilians, including seven children, in a nearby mosque. Afghan security forces had successfully thwarted the attack.

Sujatha Singh held talks with her Afghanistani counterpart Ershad Ahmadi. She also met first Vice President Mohammed Fahim, second Vice President Karim Khalili and Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul.

The Indian foreign secretary paid a special visit to the Indian consulate in Jalalabad. Later, she called on Nangarhar Province Governor Gul Agha Sherzoi.

She was accompanied by officials of the Ministry of External Affairs, including Development Partnership Administration Joint Secretary Sanjiv Ranjan and Joint Secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan, India) Rudrendra Tandon along with Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Amar Sinha and officials of the development wing of the embassy.