Bush pledges 'full support' to India

Terrorists will not have the last word and the financial capital of India will continue to be the "centre of commerce and prosperity," Bush said at the South Lawn of the White House upon his return from Camp David.

"We pledge the full support of the United States as India investigates these attacks, brings the guilty to justice and sustains its democratic way of life," he said.

Asserting that terrorists will not have the last word, Bush said Indians can count on the support of the US as they recover from the crisis.

"The killers struck this week are brutal and violent, but terror will not have the final word. People of India are resilient, people of India are strong, they have built a vibrant, multi-ethnic democracy, they can withstand this trial. Their financial capital Mumbai would continue to be the centre of commerce and prosperity," he said.

"As the people of the world's largest democracy recover from these attacks, they can count on the world's oldest democracy to stand by their side," he added.

Bush, who had spoken to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday, said the leaders of India can know that the nations around the world support them "in the face of this assault on human dignity".

Offering his condolences to those killed in the attacks, Bush said the US administration is closely monitoring the situation in India, while keeping President-elect Barack Obama informed about it.

"Our administration is monitoring the situation in India closely since the attacks on Wednesday. Throughout the process we have kept President-elect Obama informed," Bush said, adding, "We mourn those who lost their lives, including American citizens".

First Lady Laura Bush was at his side when the President made his brief comments.

Bush earlier discussed with senior officials and diplomats, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Ambassador to India David Mulford, the situation arising out of the Mumbai terror attacks.

Besides Rice and Mulford, the hour-long video teleconference held from the Camp David presidential retreat, was also attended by Paul Folmsbee, consul general at the US consulate in Mumbai and members of Bush's national security team.