New Delhi, May 23 (IANS): Afghan President Hamid Karzai today spoke to Prime Minister designate Narendra Modi and assured him that Kabul "will do all to protect Indian missions there".
The External Affairs Ministry said Modi thanked Karzai for the "efforts of Afghan forces in thwarting (the) attack on India's consulate in Herat".
Modi earlier telephoned the Indian ambassador in Kabul, Amar Sinha.
Modi said in a tweet: "I condemn the attack on our consulate in Herat. Closely monitoring the situation. I have spoken to the ambassador as well."
The Indian consulate in Herat was attacked by four gunmen on Friday.
Modi will be sworn in as Prime Minister on Monday. Karzai is among the SAARC leaders expected to attend the event.
Manmohan too condemns: Outgoing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today condemned the attack on the Indian consulate in Afghanistan, saying this won't undermine the close ties between New Delhi and Kabul. Four gunmen attacked the consulate in Herat early Friday.
"I condemn in the strongest terms the attack on the consulate general of India... We are greatly relieved that all staff and security personnel at the consulate are safe," Manmohan Singh said.
"These attacks will neither succeed in undermining the close relations between India and Afghanistan nor deter India from fulfilling its commitment to help the Afghan people in building a peaceful, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan.
"India will continue to support Afghanistan in its brave fight against terrorism," he added.
The outgoing Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the Afghan and Indian security personnel at the consulate for battling the attackers.
