Bhubaneswar, Dec 28 (IANS) There was no evidence of Al Qaeda's presence in India and a security advisory to states, including Goa, was only a "routine matter", a top official said here Thursday.

Asked to comment on a reported advisory by the central government, Home Secretary V.K. Duggal told reporters: "It was a routine matter to advise some state governments to take extra care during the peak tourist season of Christmas and New Year."

The Israeli government had this month warned its citizens visiting Goa during Christmas holidays that there was a "severe terror threat" of an Al Qaeda attack.

Duggal, here to attend a two-day coordination meeting of the states affected by Maoist violence, said that there was no evidence of Al Qaeda's presence in the country.

There is no reason for any one to presume that the centre has alerted the Goa government against any possible Al Qaeda attack, he said.