US lawmakers condemn 'senseless' Mumbai attacks

"With the US-India strategic dialogue planned for next week in Delhi, these senseless attacks underscore that counter terrorism cooperation between the two nations must be a top priority," Congressmen Ed Royce, and Joe Crowley, Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, said after the attacks.

"We strongly condemn the attacks on innocent civilians in Mumbai. There can be no justification for what took place, and the targeting of civilians on their commute home from work is deplorable," they said.

Observing that India was a crucial ally and friend of the US, House Democratic Whip, Steny Hoyer, said, "Attacks like these can, tragically, end lives; but they cannot destroy India's commitment to the principles that have made it a thriving democracy.

"I look forward to the day when the perpetrators of these attacks are brought to justice, and I know that America stands by India in this time of need."

Top Democrat on the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, Congressman Gary Ackerman, said the perpetrators of this attack must be found, their backers, protectors and funders must be exposed, and justice must be done to all of those involved in this "hideous mass murder of innocents".

"India has once again been brutally attacked by barbaric terrorist violence and I extend to the people and government of India my deepest sympathy for the many injured and killed by the three bomb blasts in Mumbai," he said.

Terror struck Mumbai last evening when three near simultaneous blasts ripped through crowded areas in the city. At least 21 people were killed and 141 injured.

House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith said this "cowardly attack" on innocents is an affront to those who strive for peace and common understanding.

"India has seen enough violence, and I have no doubt that the people of India will stand firm in the face of this senseless aggression.

"In the days ahead, the United States will stand with the people of India and lend our support as they seek to track down and bring to justice those who committed this atrocity," he said.

Top Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said "senseless" attacks such as these shock civilised people everywhere. "India is America's close friend and the world's largest democracy; it is a shining example to other countries in the region and around the world of the universal right of self-determination and the success of pluralism," Pelosi said.

"Americans stand with our ally India today and in the future as they work to bring the perpetrators to justice and recover from this tragedy," she said.

As a nation that has, itself, suffered at the hands of terrorists, the United States must not only be vigilant in prosecuting the war on terror, but also equally aggressive in confronting any nation that continues to facilitate or sponsor terrorists of any stripe, said Ackerman.

Joining Americans in expressing outrage at the attacks in Mumbai, and in expressing sympathy to the families of those killed or wounded, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the Congress and the Executive Branch are united in support of the US-India strategic partnership.

"If requested by the Indian authorities, we must stand ready to provide all appropriate assistance during this time of trial," she said.