Obama, US Government and UN chief voice support for India
US president-elect Barack Obama joined the American government in strongly condemning Wednesday's series of "horrific attacks" in Mumbai and asked Washington to work with India to root out and destroy terrorist networks worldwide.
Condemning the series of attacks in the Indian financial capital, the State Department said that the US stands ready to support the Indian authorities in dealing with the situation, while the White House said it was seeking more information.
"We are monitoring the situation very closely and stand ready to support the Indian authorities as they deal with this horrific series of attacks," the State Department said in a statement.
Obama, who takes office on January 20, quickly weighed in.
"President-elect Obama strongly condemns today's terrorist attacks in Mumbai," his spokesperson on national security Brooke Anderson said in statement.
"These coordinated attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate the grave and urgent threat of terrorism," she said.
"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."
The White House also denounced the attacks. "We condemn these attacks and the loss of innocent life. We continue to seek more information," said a spokesman for the White House National Security Council Ben Chang.
President George W Bush, who left earlier to spend this week's Thanksgiving holiday at the presidential retreat at Camp David, was briefed on developments in Mumbai, the White House said.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was closely monitoring the situation, a State Department official was quoted as saying by the US media.
"The secretary will be reaching out to officials at the US embassy in New Delhi and at the consulate in Mumbai. She will be reaching out to Indian government officials as well. The situation on the ground is extremely fluid," the official said.
The State Department has created a call centre for Americans seeking any information on relatives or friends affected by the attacks. The number is 1-888-407-4747.
At this point, it was not aware of any American casualties in the attacks, in which scores of people were killed and hundreds wounded.
At the United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voicing his solidarity with India's government and its people said, "Such violence is totally unacceptable."
"The Secretary-General reiterates his conviction that no cause or grievance can justify indiscriminate attacks against civilians," a statement by his spokesperson said Wednesday. He also called for the perpetrators of the attacks to be brought to justice.
Britain stands solidly behind India: Gordon Brown
London: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has condemned Wednesday's terrorist attacks in Mumbai, saying Britain stands "solidly behind" India and offering all help to combat the terrorists.
Brown sent a message to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in which he said the "outrageous attacks" will be met with a "vigorous response."
Amid reports of terrorists specifically seeking out British and American nationals, Brown also offered every possible protection to any British citizens who may be caught up in the attacks.
However, it as not immediately known if any British citizens were being held hostage by the terrorists.
British Foreign Minister David Miliband joined in the condemnation, saying the attacks had claimed "many innocent victims" and were a reminder of the threat faced from "violent extremists".
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"Today's attacks in Mumbai which have claimed many innocent victims remind us, yet again, of the threat we face from violent extremists. I condemn these attacks unreservedly,” Miliband said.
"Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those killed and injured. The UK and India will continue their joint efforts to counter the actions of terrorists," Miliband added.
Britons told television channels that there were two gun-toting terrorists in the luxury Trident (formerly Oberoi) hotel and that they had asked specifically for people holding British or American passports.
Canada calls Mumbai blasts `despicable'
Toronto: Calling it a cowardly act, Canada on Wednesday condemned the series of blasts in Mumbai that claimed at least 87 lives.
"Canada strongly condemns the savage terrorist attacks in Mumbai, which have left hundreds of innocent civilians injured or killed. These cowardly attacks are truly appalling,” said Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon in a statement.
"On behalf of all Canadians, I extend my condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives, and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” the minister added.
Expressing support for India in its fight against terrorism, Cannon said: "Canada stands firmly united with the government of India in condemning these despicable acts of violence.
"Canada and India share a commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Among our mutual priorities is close cooperation to promote international security and to fight terrorism."
Cannon said Canada was working with Indian authorities to assist any Canadians who may have been directly affected by these events.
"We will continue to monitor events as they develop," he said.
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Deepak Obhrai, who as parliamentary secretary to the foreign minister is the highest-ranking Indian-Canadian in the Canadian government, joined Cannon in condemning the blasts.
"The Mumbai attacks show that no country is immune from the deadly designs of terrorists. We stand behind India in its fight to eliminate this terrible scourge," he told IANS.
Ban Ki-moon voices solidarity with India
New York: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned Wednesday's series of terrorist attacks in the Indian financial capital of Mumbai and voiced his solidarity with the Indian government and its people.
"Such violence is totally unacceptable," Ban said in a statement on Wednesday by his spokesperson on the "coordinated series of shootings and blasts by terrorists in Mumbai, which have killed or wounded scores of people in India's commercial capital and largest city".
"The secretary-general reiterates his conviction that no cause or grievance can justify indiscriminate attacks against civilians."
Ban offered his sympathies to the families of the victims and the wounded and voiced his solidarity with India's government and its people. He also called for the perpetrators of the attacks to be brought to justice.
India has been hit by many terrorist acts this year, including deadly explosions in the northeastern state of Assam last month and earlier attacks in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Jaipur and Delhi, the statement noted.
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