Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday declared that the recent “cowardly” act of terrorists to target Indians on goodwill mission in Kabul would not “bend the will” of India to help people of Afghanistan.
Replying to a debate in Parliament on Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, he referred to the February 26 attack and said the entire nation was outraged by the incident in which seven innocent Indian lives were lost.
“These Indian nationals were in Afghanistan on a mission of goodwill and friendship helping to construct the peaceful and democratic Afghanistan that our Afghan friends desire. We condemn this cowardly act,” he said.
Noting that India’s assistance has received widespread support among the people of Afghanistan, he said, “I wish to assure this House that such attacks will not bend the will of the people of India.”
He said India will assist the people of Afghanistan in “securing their legitimate right to determine their destiny in the manner they chose without outside interference.”
Referring to Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai’s telephone call to him after the attack, Dr. Singh said he had requested him to ensure the safety of all Indians.
“I assured him of any support and assistance that may be required,” the Prime Minister said about his talk with Mr. Karzai.
He said India was closely monitoring the developments with regard to Afghanistan.
