Afghanistan on Monday night assured India that it would take all possible steps to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, who are engaged in developmental work in the war-torn country.
On its part, India expressed full support for President Hamid Karzai's efforts to usher in peace, stability and development in Afghanistan, which is witnessing an upsurge in terror attacks by the Taliban.
The message was conveyed by External Affairs Minister S M Krishna during his 45-minute meeting with Karzai at the fortified Presidential Palace here.
Krishna, who is here to attend the International Conference on Afghanistan tomorrow, reiterated India's support for President Karzai's efforts to bring about peace, stability and development in Afghanistan during the meeting, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said.
"The meeting was very useful and cordial," he said, adding that during the 45-minute meeting, the two sides conducted extensive exchange of views on bilateral ties and issues of common interests.
Later, Krishna met Afghan National Security Adviser Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta and sensitised him about the security challenges faced by Indians in Afghanistan, sources said.
Responding to this, Spanta assured Krishna that the Afghan government will take all possible steps to ensure the security of "Indian guests", who are playing an important role in the country's capacity building, the sources said.
The assurance assumes significance in the wake of recent attacks by Taliban on Indians in Afghanistan.
Seven Indians were killed on February 26 when Taliban attackers stormed guest houses in central Kabul, frequented by Indians.
The Indian embassy in Kabul was attacked twice by the Taliban in July 2008 and in October 2009.
Notwithstanding the attacks, India has been maintaining that it would continue to carry out developmental work in Afghanistan. Krishna, who will speak at Tuesday's conference, also conveyed the greetings from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the people of India to Karzai.
Earlier, warmly welcoming Krishna, Karzai said, "Warm welcome to you my friend," and the two also talked about the progress of monsoon in India.
The two leaders engaged in animated talks about the monsoon and rainfall in both countries and how it impacted their agricultural growth.
Tuesday's conference, which will be attended by nearly 60 world leaders including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, will discuss Afghanistan's future and chart out security and developmental needs of the war-torn country.
The meeting will take place amid a spurt in suicide bombings and attacks by Taliban on US-led NATO forces, which has suffered the deadliest single month in June when its 79 soldiers died.
