Obama condemns Mumbai attack, promises support

US President Barack Obama  led a strong American condemnation of yet another terrorist attack on India's financial capital Mumbai, saying "India is a close friend and partner of the United States" and "we will offer support to India's efforts to bring the perpetrators of these terrible crimes to justice."


In a White House statement hours after the triple blasts that killed more than 20 people, Obama recalled his trip to Mumbai last November when, he said, "I saw firsthand the strength and resilience of the Indian people, and I have no doubt that the India will overcome these deplorable terrorist attacks."

"I strongly condemn the outrageous attacks in Mumbai, and my thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and those who have lost loved ones. The US government continues to monitor the situation, including the safety and security of our citizens," Obama said.

The Obama statement comes even as the Ahmed Shuja Pasha, chief of Pakistan's spy agency ISI, alleged to have masterminded the last major terrorist attack on Mumbai on 26/11 and informally regarded by the US government as a terrorism sponsor, arrived in Washington DC for talks. The Pakistani military and intelligence establishment is now accused of murdering its own citizens in addition to backing terrorist groups and their attacks on India and Afghanistan, depredations which US administrations are only now starting to recognize.

At a State Department briefing, the finger of suspicion – from the US media – went straightaway went towards Pakistan with one journalist asking "given the allegations of Pakistani involvement in the Mumbai attacks of 2008, do you have any reason to suspect that there may be Pakistani official or unofficial involvement in these bombings?"

"It's far too early to speculate. The Indian government will no doubt begin an investigation of the incident, and we'll wait for their results," spokesman Mark Toner responded cautiously, adding, "we stand ready to cooperate with them."

Toner said he was not aware of any connection or warning in the attack linking it to secretary of state Hillary Clinton's scheduled visit to India next week and saw no change in her schedule. Clinton is slated to visit New Delhi and Chennai; Mumbai is not on her schedule.

There was outrage also on the Hill, where there is growing disquiet about Pakistan's reluctance to act against terrorist networks it has fostered for long. Some lawmakers are implying that as long as Pakistan refuses to crack down on and prosecute terrorist outfits it is supporting, it will always come under suspicion for terror attacks regardless of direct involvement.