Undeterred by attacks, Indians not to return from Afghanistan

Kabul, Mar 7 (PTI) Notwithstanding the terror attacks
and threats, Indians posted in Afghanistan and working on
various reconstruction projects are unwilling to return home
leaving their tasks unfinished.
This is the sense they gave when they interacted with
National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon here during his
two-day visit that concluded Saturday.
Meeting the officials of the Indian embassy, consulates
and those engaged in reconstruction projects in Afghanistan
was one of the first engagements of Menon when he arrived here
to discuss security for about 4,000 Indians in this country in
the aftermath of the February 26 attack.
Menon asked them about their impressions about the
security situation and how they felt, sources said.
The staffers of the embassy and others engaged in
developmental activities pointed to the dangerous situation,
but nobody said they wanted to return home, the sources said.
There was no response even when given an offer that if
anybody felt scared and wanted to leave Afghanistan, it could
be facilitated, the sources said.
Menon appreciated their brave spirit of continuing their
tasks despite the difficult conditions.
Indians are working on a range of developmental projects
which cover areas like infrastructure, power, healthcare,
education and social sector. India has committed USD 1.3
billion in assistance to Afghanistan. (More) PTI