Hinting at Pakistani link to the Kabul Embassy attack, India said on Saturday that Afghanistan faces threat from terrorists and their "patrons residing across the border" and that the blast was handiwork of those who want to undermine Indo-Afghan friendship.

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, who returned after a two-day visit to Kabul in the wake of Thursday's attack, made it clear that India will not be deterred by such acts as she reiterated the unwavering commitment to pursuing bilateral development partnership and assisting the people of Afghanistan in realising a democratic, peaceful and prosperous country.

"The attack was clearly the handiwork of those who are desperate to undermine Indo-Afghan friendship and do not believe in a strong, democratic and pluralistic Afghanistan," she said.

"The international community and indeed the people of Afghanistan face a clear danger from the perpetrators of such wanton acts of terrorism and their patrons residing across the border," Rao said, apparently hinting at Pakistan.

Afghanistan has already hinted at Pakistani linkage to the attack, with its Foreign Ministry saying that the blast was "planned and implemented from outside the borders of Afghanistan".

Expressing her "deep concern and revulsion over the barbaric and cowardly attack", Rao said it was "so clearly aimed against the people of India and the people of Afghanistan and their abiding friendship."

The Foreign Secretary emphasised that the scourge of terrorism must be resolutely opposed, resisted and overcome through "undiluted commitment" and effort by the international community.

During her visit, Rao met President Hamid Karzai, Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta and National Security Adviser Zalmai Rassoul.

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