Terming the Kabul embassy bombing as an attack on Indo-Afghan friendship, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today declared that it would not deter New Delhi from continuing its reconstruction of the war-torn country and announced a fresh assistance worth 450 mn USD (Rs 1901 crore) in addition to 750 mn USD (Rs 31659 crore) already committed by India.

After talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai against the 'backdrop of serious threat posed by terrorism to security and stability of Afghanistan, India and the region', Singh said they would fight the menace 'unitedly and with firm determination'.

He added that they have decided to not allow terrorism to block way in boosting friendly relations between the two nations. He noted that Karzai's visit was at a 'critical juncture' in India, Afghanistan and the region.

The crucial Zaranj-Delaram highway, being constructed by India in western Afghanistan as a "symbol of cooperation", has been completed and would be handed over soon to the Afghan government.

India lost a number of its workers and other personnel in terror attacks on the road construction project over the last three years, but the Border Roads Organisation continued work unfazed.

Condemning the embassy attack in Kabul as well as the serial bombings in Bangalore and Ahmedabad, Karzai said that Afghanistan and India face the same challenge of 'terrorism' and 'cold-blooded murderous activities'.
 

He also said, "The two countries have no option but to be united to fight against terrorism as it is our moral responsibility as human beings to protect the people."