As a "further demonstration" of solidarity with the Indian government in the wake of Mumbai terror attacks, President George Bush has asked the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to travel to India this Wednesday.

"President Bush has asked Secretary Rice to travel to India this week in the wake of the terror attacks that killed nearly 200 people, including 6 American citizens.

"Secretary Rice will depart tonight on already scheduled travel to London. She will attend the NATO meeting on Tuesday and then proceed to India arriving in New Delhi on Wednesday," the White House Press Secretary Dana Perino has said in a Statement issued last evening.

"Secretary Rice's visit to India is a further demonstration of the United States' commitment to stand in solidarity with the people of India as we all work together to hold these extremists accountable," Perino added.

Rice's tour to New Delhi will follow the Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon's two-day scheduled visit to Washington beginning today.

Menon will have talks with his counterpart in the State Department Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns.

High level sources said that Menon's visit will cover the gamut of the bilateral relations but Mumbai terror attacks will give further significance to the talks.

Menon is also expected to meet people in the President-elect Barack Obama's team as also with other law makers, Senators and members in the House of Representatives.