Tuesday, April 11 2006 18:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Seeking to address India's concerns, Afghanistan today (Apr 11, 2006)said it will take 'specific measures' to ensure safety of Indians and other foreigners engaged in reconstruction projects in that country.

"The problem has to be tackled at two levels improving the security in the country as a whole and taking specific measures when it comes to the safety of those working in construction and development projects," Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah , accompanying President Hamid Karzai, sources here.

The comments from Abdullah came when referred to India's concerns over safety of hundreds of its nationals working on various reconstruction projects in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had yesterday voiced concern over safety of Indians in Afghanistan as he discussed the issue with Karzai.

Four months ago, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) jawan M R Kutty, engaged in construction of crucial Zaranj-Delaram Highway, was kidnapped and then killed suspectedly by the Taliban in Kandahar province.

Kutty was among around 300 BRO personnel working on the project.

In February, Indian Engineer Bharath Kumar, working with a Turkish firm, was killed in a bomb attack in Farah province.

About 10 Indian doctors deputed to various hospitals in Afghanistan also received threats from Taliban.

Taking the issue seriously, India despatched about 200 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) commandos to Afghanistan last month for proximate security of the Indians engaged in various projects.

Abdullah said his country viewed as valuable India's support in developing infrastructure in Afghanistan.

Asked if Afghanistan was getting the kind of support it expected from Pakistan in curbing the remnants of Taliban in the country, he evaded a direct reply but acknowledged that statements have been emanating from Kabul accusing Islamabad of 'non-cooperation' in fighting terrorism.

Terming terrorism as a challenge to all the countries in South Asia, he said it was in the interest of both Pakistan and Afghanistan to fight the menace together.

"Terrorism is a challenge to Pakistan, Afghanistan and all of us in this region," Abdullah said adding "we should fight it together."

He emphasised that stability in Afghanistan was important for the stability of the whole region. Describing Afghanistan as a 'land bridge' between South Asia and Central Asia, Iran and Gulf countries, Abdullah said improved security situation his country would improve economic cooperation between the countries of the region.

Noting that Afghanistan has been included in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), he said the development would lead to improvement in economic cooperation among the countries of the region.

"Afghanistan's location is very important for the economic integration of the region. It is central to the whole region", the Foreign Minister said.

To a question about Bamiyan Buddha, which was destroyed by the Taliban in March 2001, Abdullah said Afghanistan Government would extend all possible help to UNESCO in preserving the heritage site.