US says will bring 26/11 terrorists to justice,consult India on Afghanistan

“Secretary (of State Hillary) Clinton reiterated the continued US commitment to provide full cooperation and support in ongoing counter-terrorism investigations,including thorough continued exchanges of information between designated agencies and by bringing the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai terrorism attack to justice,” the joint statement issued after the first-ever India-US strategic dialogue said.

To assuage concerns in India that the US was getting influenced by Pakistani efforts to restrict New Delhi’s involvement in Afghan reconstruction efforts,the United States said it welcomed India’s vital contribution to “reconstruction,capacity building and development efforts in Afghanistan and its offer to enhance efforts in this direction”.

“India and the United States committed to regularly consult with each other on Afghanistan. It is our common interest that the people of Afghanistan succeed in their reconstruction and development efforts without outside interference,in an atmosphere free from violence and extremism,” the joint statement said.

“India’s contributions to Afghanistan’s future — including $1.3 billion in assistance — have been positive and significant.

India is building Afghanistan’s new parliament building. And Indian and American groups are working together to help Afghan engineers bring greater source of electricity to Kabul,” Clinton said.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna thanked the US for its help in the 26/11 investigations and sought access for Indian officers to Pakistan-born US citizen David Headley,currently under detention in Chicago,who is accused of helping the terrorists in carrying out the attack.

“We value the support we have received from the US government in our investigations. In this regard,access to our authorities to persons who have been apprehended by your government in connection with Mumbai terror attack is perhaps the logical next step. We are confident that our continued cooperation will lead to realization of this objective,” Krishna said.

Speaking at a special reception hosted at the conclusion of the strategic dialogue last night,Obama said New Delhi was “indispensable” to the world order the US hopes to build.