At least 40 people have been killed in a bomb blast on Monday in the Afghan capital of Kabul. More than 140 others were wounded.

The suicide car bomb exploded near the Indian Embassy in the city center. Abdul Hakim Ashiq is spokesman of the Afghan Interior Ministry.

"The Indian Embassy was the exact target, the bomb was placed in a Corolla car and the suicide bomber, who was inside the car, detonated himself in front of Indian Embassy gate."

India's foreign minister announced that four Indians were killed in the incident, including its defence attaché, a diplomat, and two security guards.

Pranab Mukherjee is India's External Affairs Minister.

"The government of India strongly condemns this cowardly terrorist attack on its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan. Such acts of terror will not deter us from fulfilling our commitments to the government and people of Afghanistan."

The minister said a high-level delegation will be sent to Kabul immediately.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has also condemned the attack, saying it was carried out by militants trying to rupture the friendship between Afghanistan and India.

This was the sixth suicide bombing in Kabul this year. Over 2,200 people have been killed in insurgent violence in Afghanistan this year.