From correspondents in Delhi, India, 12:30 AM IST

India and Afghanistan Sunday underlined that terrorism was a 'common threat' to both countries and discussed steps to upgrade security cover for the Indian mission and workers in the violence-torn country.

Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon, who is in Kabul on a two-day visit to review security of the Indian missions and workers in the wake of the suicide bombing attack July 7, also held talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

In their meeting lasting 30 minutes, the two discussed ways to upgrade the security of the Indian mission and four Indian consulates in Afghanistan - Jalalabad, Mazar-e-Sharif, Herat and Kandahar. They also discussed steps to upgrade security cover for Indian workers involved in various reconstruction projects in Afghanistan.

The deadly car bomb attack, the first major attack on an Indian mission abroad, killed 54 Afghans and four Indians, including a diplomat and defence attache of brigadier rank.

Menon also met Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta who assured him that the Afghan government would do everything possible to protect Indian assets in the country.

The two sides agreed that 'terrorism is a threat to both the countries as well as stability and democracy of the region', Afghan foreign ministry spokesman Sultan Ahmad Baheen said.

Karzai and Menon shared the view that it is 'not enough to fight the symptom of terrorism' that is visible in Afghanistan but the menace should be 'rooted out from the region by targeting bases, recruitment places and financial links', Baheen said.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)