Delhi will continue to help Kabul

‘‘We are concerned. A large number of people are not only working in Afghanistan but also in several places across West Asia. From security point of view, these areas are of concern,’’ Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the Rajya Sabha while replying to a clarification on a suo motu statement on the killing of Maniyappan by the Taliban last month.

He, however, said that there could be no foolproof security for the Indians working in these coutries and the government has to depend on the security provided by local governments.

Mukherjee said that the highway construction project connecting southern Afghanistan to Iran would continue.

‘‘We will not succumb to this type of terrorism and we will continue to help Afghanistan. The Taliban want to stall the project, but India is committed to complete it,’’ Mukherjee said.

He said 38 ITBP personnel were providing security for the project and efforts are being made to increase the security strength and its details are being worked out by the director general of the Border Roads Organisation with the Afghaistan authorities.

‘‘In no part of the world, you can buy peace by compromising or succumbing to the pressure of terrorists whatever be the price. Sometimes the country has to pay a heavy price.’’

To a pointed question from former external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha, he admitted that India had contacted the Pakistani authorities to explore possibilities of Maniyappan’s release from the Taliban. Mukherjee said Islamabad was approached through informal channels, to which Pakistan responded by saying that it ceased any contacts with the Taliban. At that point of time, the main concern was to secure the release of Maniyappan and all possible channels were explored.

‘‘Our entire exercise (then) was directed at whatever source we can to save the person. It is not correct to say that we did not make any effort,’’ Mukherjee said.

Regarding adequate compensation to Maniyappan’s family, Mukherjee said that the normal provident fund and other benefits worked out to about Rs 9 lakh. That apart, the Centre has announced Rs 5 lakh aid and the state government had reportedly agreed to give a matching assistance, he added.

Also Maniyappan’s wife would get a pension equivalent to the last salary drawn by him as a special case, he said, adding that efforts are being made to provide her employment in a public sector undertaking besides providing education to her two children at least up to graduation.