With 9/11 & 26/11 in backdrop, Indo-US ties to touch new highs

Mumbai, Jul 18 : Paying tribute to the martyrs of 9/11 and 26/11, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today set the tone for discussions with Indian leaders in taking the strategic Indo-US relationship to greater heights, and made it clear that the US was not exerting pressure on New Delhi to resume dialogue with Pakistan.

Dispelling all apprehensions about the role of the world's largest democracy in the renewal of dialogue between India and Pakistan, Ms Clinton expressed confidence that Islamabad will convert its commitment to punish terrorists behind the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks into action.

At a press conference here, Ms Clinton, who arrived last night on her first visit to India as Secretary of State, said India was a sovereign state and can decide how and when to act with regard to resumption of dialogue with Pakistan on issues relating to terrorism.

She said, ''India as a sovereign nation is fully capable and prepared to take necessary decisions. The US will be very supportive of the decisions they take and we are not in anyway involved in those decisions.'' Ms Clinton also appreciated the efforts taken by the Pakistan government and the society in general in that country against the terrorists involved in the 26/11 attack in Mumbai and said during the last six months they had shown efforts and commitment in bringing to book the terrorists.

''It was to early to comment how soon these concerted efforts will be converted to actions,'' she added.

She also expressed hope that the terrorist organisations in Pakistan, such as Lashkar-e-Toiba, was dismantled.

She said the US would extend all support to India to weed out terrorism and said during her talks with government officials in New Delhi on July 20, she would be discussing counter terrorism issues.

Both India and the US had gone through traumatic experience of terrorist acts, she said and every effort would be made by the two countries in supporting each other on counter terrorism measures.

She also expressed her condemnation over yesterday's terrorist act in Indonesia and said the US government would standby Indonesia in the fight against terrorists.

UNI