Brasilia: Mumbai attackers had undergone training in al Qaeda camps in Afghanistan, sources have said, revealing for the first time the Afghan link to the deadly 26/11 carnage.
Highlighting this threat, the sources underlined the criticality of Afghanistan for India in terms of security.
The sources said India has larger interest in Afghanistan, which is part of its periphery. "Whatever happens there affect us," they said.
The sources also said some of those responsible for the 26/11 attacks that killed 166 people, including foreigners, had undergone training at al Qaeda camps in Afghanistan. "This can't be ignored," they said.
India has blamed Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba for the deadly attacks and has been demanding action Hafiz Saeed, who is the chief of JuD, the front organisation for LeT.
The sources also said India will continue its presence in Afghanistan while adjusting according to the situation and capabilities.
India is involved in a number of developmental projects in Afghanistan despite a spate of attacks against its interests in the war-torn country.
"If Taliban capture Afghanistan or Afghanistan goes with Taliban, the situation will be critical for India also," the sources said.
India realises that the situation in Afghanistan is evolving fast and New Delhi is closely monitoring the developments.
They said big issues regarding Afghanistan have to be primarily addressed by Afghans themselves.
There is a feeling in India that Afghans themselves don't want Taliban to be back and would resist if it attempts.
The sources said situation in Afghanistan figured prominently at a meeting between National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon and Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo on the sidelines of the India-Brazil-South Africa and Brzail-Russia-China-India Summits here.
Significantly, the Afghan issue was raised by the Chinese side. Both Menon and Dai are Special Representatives for the boundary talks between the two countries.
Earlier, Menon discussed the situation in Afghanistan with Russian officials. Menon had also discussed the issue with his US counterpart Gen James Jones in Washington during
the Nuclear Security Summit.
China favoured the continuation of International Stabilisation Force in Afghanistan.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, April 17, 2010, 11:02