No plans to scale down activities in Afghan: Kaur

New Delhi, Apr 21: Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur said on Wednesday that the government has no plans to scale down its activities in Afghanistan, despite losing around 17 nationals engaged in projects there.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Kaur said that the government has assured the families of the victims of financial and other assistance.

Kaur, during the question hour, said that the assistance which will be provided to them include ex-gratia compensation, insurance payments, liberalised pensionary benefits and other admissible benefits.

Compensation to employess of private firms' employees will be provided by the company, she said.

She said that while no Indians were killed in Afghanistan in 2007, nine Indians were killed in 2008 and seven were killed in the terror attack on its Embassy in Kabul, one in 2009 (a private firm employee) and seven in 2010 (in a terror attack on a hotel).

Ruling out India's plan to sacle down activities in Afghanistan, she said that India was committed to assisting Afghan people and government in building a peaceful, pluralistic, democratic and prosperous nation.

The minister said that Indian government had comprehensively reviewed and beefed up the security measures of all the Indian officials including other Indians associated with the project.

"It is also in regular touch with the Afghan government, which has assured necessary security for Indians in that country," she said.

She informed that Indian nationals registered with the Embassy in Kabul are being regularly advised about the existing security scenario through advisories.

Kaur added that advisories outlined the precautionary measures to be adopted to ensure their safety.

OneIndia News