Reactions within the United States to the terrorist attacks in Mumbai

Washington, DC
December 5, 2008

The terrorist attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2008 killing more than 180 people and injuring hundreds of others are evoking strong condemnation within the United States. Expressions of deep solidarity, shock and sympathy for the victims and their families are continuing to be sent to the Embassy and the Consulates General of India. Messages of support for the Government of India and the people of India are coming in from US Congressmen and Senators, senior officials, professionals, security experts, students and a wide cross section of Americans from all walks of life. Indian Americans are sending their condolences and expressions of support and solidarity in large numbers.

President George W. Bush spoke on phone to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on 27 November 2008, to express condolences to the victims and solidarity with the people of India, and offer assistance in the investigations. 

On November 26, the White House issued a statement to convey President Bush’s condolences, condemn the attack, and offer assistance and support to the Government of India.

President-elect Obama called Ambassador Ronen Sen within a few hours of the attacks on November 26 to convey that on this grim occasion his thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the terrorist attack. He said that while there was only one President at a time, he was personally monitoring the grave situation as it evolved. He said that he had been briefed by the Secretary of State and that he would be fully supportive of all actions by the Bush Administration to assist the Government of India.

The statement issued on behalf of the President-elect by the Transition on November 26 stated “the United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks. We stand with the people of India, whose democracy will prove far more resilient than the hateful ideology that led to these attacks”.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also called Ambassador Ronen Sen on November 26 to convey her deep sorrow and sympathy. She assured that the situation was being monitored at the highest levels of the Bush Administration and that India could count on the fullest cooperation and support of the Bush Administration. Secretary Rice spoke on phone to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee the same evening to convey the solidarity of the United States with India in the common fight against terrorism. 

In a statement issued on November 26, the State Department strongly condemned the attack. 

In a statement on November 28, President Bush mourned the great loss of life suffered by India and other countries, including two Americans killed in the attacks. He reiterated that his Administration would continue to cooperate against these extremists who offer nothing but violence and hopelessness.

President-elect Obama issued the following statement on November 28:

“Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the American citizens who lost their lives in the outrageous terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and with all who have been touched by this terrible tragedy.

These terrorists who targeted innocent civilians will not defeat India's great democracy, nor shake the will of a global coalition to defeat them. The United States must stand with India and all nations and people who are committed to destroying terrorist networks, and defeating their hate-filled ideology.

There is one President at a time. I will continue to closely monitor the situation on the ground in Mumbai, and am grateful for the cooperation of the Bush administration in keeping me and my staff updated. We fully support the Bush administration's efforts to protect American citizens and assist the government of India during this tragic time.”

Both President Bush and President-elect Obama are continuing to receive updates in their respective homes at Camp David and Chicago during this Thanksgiving weekend.

US Congressmen and Senators have also unequivocally condemned the terrorist attacks in Mumbai in strongest terms and underlined their firm resolve to fight terrorism. Several of them have written personal letters conveying that “Americans stand in solidarity with India’s people” in the face of these “cowardly” and “barbaric” acts of terror and expressed the “hope that the perpetrators would be brought to justice swiftly”. Among those who have sent in messages of strong support are House Majority Leader Representative Steny Hoyer, HFAC Chairman, Representative Howard Berman, Senator Bob Casey, Representative Henry Waxman, Representative Alcee Hastings, Chairman of the Commission on Security & Cooperation in Europe,  Representative Steve Israel, Representative Joseph Crowley, Representative Ed Royce, Senator Joe Lieberman, Ted Strickland, Governor, State of Ohio and Mayor Adrian M. Fenty of Washington, DC.

Messages of solidarity have come in from the Jewish groups, including the the American Jewish Committee, AIPAC and B' Nai B' Rith International. The US Chambers of Commerce and USIBC have strongly condemned the terrorist attacks and reaffirmed their support to the people of India. 

Foreign Envoys in Washington DC, including the Ambassadors of Israel, Russia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Brazil, Mexico, Netherlands, Iraq etc telephoned or have sent personal messages to Ambassador Sen. 

Numerous Indian-American groups and associations have condemned the “dastardly terror attacks” in Mumbai in the strongest possible terms and expressed deep gratitude to the thousands of Indian security personnel for their courageous and selfless service in fighting these well-planned and coordinated attacks. They have noted “with a sense of great pride and satisfaction, that Indian citizens have by and large maintained harmony, understanding and resolve in the face of successive acts of terrorism”. They have expressed concern at the involvement of foreign groups and urged the Government of India to identify them and to deal with such threats in an effective manner. 

The groups include, amongst others, the National Federation of Indian Associations (NFIA); the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI); the Indian-American Friendship Council; the Indian American Committee; the Indian Overseas Congress; the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America ( FIACONA) the Coalition Against Genocide; Association of Indian Muslims in America (AIM) Washington DC; Sikh American Heritage Organization, Wayne, IL.; The Coalition for a Secular Democratic India (CSDI), Chicago. IL; Vaishnava Center for Enlightenment, Michigan. 

Condemnation of the terror attacks and expressions of strong support for the people of India are continuing to flow in from individual members of the Indian-American community as well. Many groups continue to hold prayer meetings across the United States. There is unanimous expression of outrage at the attacks and repeated reiteration that their thoughts and prayers are with the people of India at this time, that they stand with India and its people and that “United States and all civilized nations of the world must root out and completely eradicate and destroy worldwide terrorism”. There is a strong sense of anger coming across in the phone calls and messages being received.