Remarks by External Affairs Minister, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee to the Media after the meeting with US Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice

New Delhi
December 3, 2008

I have just concluded discussions with H.E. Dr. Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Secretary of State. She has specifically come to express the solidarity of the United States of America with India in the wake of the heinous attacks by terrorists who struck in several locations in Mumbai last week. We greatly appreciate this gesture.

I informed Dr. Rice that there is no doubt that the terrorist attacks in Mumbai were perpetrated by individuals who came from Pakistan and whose controllers are in Pakistan. This is an assessment that is widely shared by the international community.

I briefed Dr. Rice on the discussions we have had with the Government of Pakistan following the Mumbai terrorist attacks and our expectations of cooperation from them to ensure that the terrorists and organizations who perpetrated these attacks are arrested and brought to justice. We expect all friendly governments and the international community to ensure that this happens.

I have also conveyed to Secretary Rice the feeling of anger and deep outrage in India following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai which were preceded by similar terrorist attacks in other cities in India earlier this year in Jaipur, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Delhi and now Mumbai. Almost 350 innocent lives have been lost in these attacks and more than 733 people injured. Government of India is determined to act decisively to protect India’s territorial integrity and the right of our citizens to a peaceful life with all the means at our disposal.

We look forward to the international community’s cooperation in our longstanding struggle against terrorism.

I would now like to invite Secretary Rice to make her observations.