Declaring that “my administration will remain steadfast in support of India’s efforts to catch the perpetrators of this terrible act (the Mumbai terror attacks) and bring them to justice,” US President-elect Barack Obama today said militants based in South Asia represented the biggest threat to the US and he was absolutely committed to eliminating the threat of terrorism.

“We cannot tolerate a world where innocents are killed by extremists based on twisted ideologies,” Obama, who takes office on January 20, told reporters in Chicago after naming his national security team. “We’re going to have to bring the full force of our power — not only military but also diplomatic, economic and political — to deal with those threats. Not only to keep America safe but also to ensure that peace and prosperity continue around the world.”

Obama pointed to South Asia as the area of greatest concern. “The situation in Afghanistan has been worsening. The situation in South Asia as a whole and the safe havens for terrorists that have been established there, represent the single most important threat against the American people,” he said.

He said while sovereign nations obviously have the right to defend themselves, he did not want to comment on the specifics surrounding the Mumbai attack. “I am confident that India’s great democracy is more resilient than killers who would tear it down,” he said. “I can tell you that my administration will remain steadfast in support of India’s efforts to catch the perpetrators of this terrible act and bring them to justice. And I expect that the world community will feel the same way.”

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