Asia-Pacific

US says no double standards on 11/9, Mumbai attacks

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-10 19:58

NEW DELHI-- The United States Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer Tuesday said his country was not adopting double standards while dealing with 2008 Mumbai attacks and 11/9, 2001, attacks.

"From September 11 where we lost 3,000 people, about 42 Indians, to November 26 where scores of Indians were slaughtered by terrorists, including six Americans who died on that day, America and India especially over the past two years have come together to share intelligence, in unprecedented ways," the US envoy told local media.

"I respectfully and strongly disagree with you," Roemer said when he was asked if the US is not treating the two attacks as the same kind.

While visiting the western Indian state of Gujarat where he went to visit the home of Mahatma Gandhi, the U.S. envoy added: "U. S. also shared David Headley and intelligence information related to him with agencies in India. We are working under directions of United States and India to help built capacity here in India, built forensic capabilities, the possibility of new national counter terrorism centre, share best practices and expertise, as to how to prevent the next terrorist attack."

Headley is a Pakistan-origin U.S. citizen arrested by FBI for suspected terrorist activities, including involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, in the United States last year.

He added that the U.S., through FBI also helped India in getting Ajmal Kasab, the lone gunman who was captured in the Mumbai attacks, convicted for the attacks.

"I think that the two countries have come together. They have also come together in so many other ways, like green partnerships, helping to addressing poverty, Afghanistan, on providing food stuff to Africa. US President also pledged his support for UN Security Council seat for India," he said.

"This partnership continues to get closer and closer. It has a historic trajectory of global partnership to bring these countries closer in the future too," said the U.S. envoy.