Antaryami, Tilakraj and Sukhdev may have had a harrowing time in Iraq, but that has not deterred Indians wanting to work in West Asia.

Kuwait issues approximately 110 visas everyday to jobseekers, Kuwait embassy information attaché Mubarak Owaidah al-Ajmi said in New Delhi on Friday.

"Our observation is that as compared to the figures last year, visa applications by Indians wishing to work in our country [and other countries in West Asia] have slightly increased. That would mean that the Iraq hostage crisis involving their three compatriots has not deterred them," he said.

"There is no drop, but in fact a slight increase."

He expressed happiness that the three Indians, who were abducted by militants in Iraq while working as truck drivers for the Kuwaiti transport company KGL, were released and they returned safe and sound to India.

"We salute them that they kept their cool and remained calm. It is good that they reposed faith in KGL, which did everything to secure their release," he said.

"Kuwait has three lakh expatriate Indians and their numbers are increasing, which is a good sign. They work in various fields in universities, hospitals, schools and suchlike. There are professionals, skilled workers and clerks. In fact, in Kuwait's population of two million people, expatriate Indians constitute the second largest," he said.

There are four million Indians in Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Al-Ajmi said that the Indians were not working for the Americans in Iraq but helping rebuild the country following its virtual devastation by the erstwhile Saddam Hussain regime.

"One must not forget that Saddam released hardened criminals and terrorists from jail when the US forces swamped Iraq. The terrorism in Iraq today is being conducted by small groups of ultras who neither represent Islam nor harmonious, democratic society.

"The majority of the Iraqi people are against them," he said.

He asserted that his country had definite information that non-Iraqis were involved in the terrorist activities in Iraq and so it was all the more necessary to put them down with a firm hand.

He did not confirm if Al Qaeda was operating in Iraq.

He said Kuwait had battled terrorism and cited the incidents where its emir escaped a terrorist attack and when terrorists hijacked a Kuwaiti aircraft from Thailand.

"It is not that they [terrorists] are not present in our country, but our security is tight and vigilant," he said.

Asked to give his country's appraisal of the situation in Iraq, he said, "It has improved, including in Najaf and the northern areas, but terrorists still plague the country in some parts.

"The terrorists by their evil designs are trying to isolate the people of Iraq... That is why it is necessary for the peace-loving international community to close ranks and fight the ultras.

"The terrorists are giving a bad image to Islam by carrying on their nefarious activities, especially against innocents. Islam teaches peace and universal brotherhood and that fact is lost on these ultras."

He made it clear that Iraqis welcomed expatriates, including Indians, for their contribution in rebuilding their country.

"We are convinced that the majority of the Iraqis welcome the expatriates' contribution and it is pure mischief by these terrorists to accuse them [the expatriates] for working for the Americans," he said.

He also took a dig at the Americans in Iraq for disregarding terrorism unless it affected them.

"They should realise that terrorists have neither colour, creed nor religion and their aim is death and destruction to achieve their warped goals," he said.

Al-Ajmi, however, hoped that with the gradual reconstruction of Iraq, it was bound to become a good market in the region, which would be good for everyone.