Work on Afghanistan-Iran highway will continue 02.12.2005 NEW DELHI: India on Thursday declared that it would continue working on the Afghanistan-Iran highway construction project despite militant threats. Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the Rajya Sabha that security for Indian personnel in Afghanistan would be enhanced. He was replying to a suo motu statement about the recent killing of Border Roads Organisation driver Maniappam Raman Kutty by the Taliban. “The government is highly concerned because we have several nationals working not only in Afghanistan but all of western Asia,” said Mukherjee. However, he added that foolproof security could not be ensured and the government would also be dependent on local governments. The minister said the project would continue despite the driver’s murder. “India will not succumb to terrorism and continue to help Afghanistan,” he said. The Indian Tibetan Border Police are providing security personnel for the project and the BRO director general is discussing details with Afghan authorities in this regard, he added. “Peace cannot be achieved by compromising to terrorists,” said Mukherjee. He said sometimes countries had to pay a very heavy price, adding, “India is the worst victim of terrorism from both internal and external elements - it is necessary to let them know the project will continue.” Replying to former external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha, Mukherjee confirmed that Pakistan had been asked to help garner Kutty’s release from the Taliban. However, he said that Pakistan was not approached formally and Islamabad had said it had ceased its contacts with the Afghan militia. At that point, the main concern was to secure Kutty’s Kutty and all possible channels were explored, he added. He also clarified again that National Security Adviser MK Narayanan did not state that Pakistan was involved in the driver’s killing. << | >> |
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