Terrorist threats to India's infrastructure including its atomic plants have increased in the wake of a civilian nuclear energy deal with the United States, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said on Wednesday.
Patil, who was addressing senior police and intelligence officers at a three-day conference in New Delhi, urged them not to lower their guard and to squarely meet the challenges posed by terrorism.
"Our critical infrastructure faces a serious threat from terrorists," Patil said.
"In view of the recent Indo-US Agreement on Civil Nuclear Energy Co-operation, our atomic power plants have become highly vulnerable.
"Installations of the oil and natural gas sector, defence, communications and IT sector are equally vulnerable," Patil said, adding intelligence reports suggested terrorist threats to ports.
Patil did not elaborate on his comments, which were the first to link the issue of security of India's nuclear plants to the civilian nuclear pact concluded with Washington in March.
The deal is currently awaiting the approval of the US Congress.
A home ministry spokesman said oil and atomic installations were symbolic of the strides India had made in the fields of economics and science.
"The deal with the United States is also an achievement in the field of nuclear energy. Therefore the minister was telling the officials to be vigilant to thwart attacks against these symbols of India's rising profile in the world," he said.
"The minister was speaking in the context of long term planning," he added. In September, New Delhi said it had "completely revamped" security at its nuclear facilities following warnings of possible terror attacks.
India has 15 nuclear power plants in operation, with seven scheduled for completion by 2009.
Recent attacks on targets across India blamed on Pakistan-based groups battling India's rule in Kashmir have also led to increased vigilance at government facilities.