Mumbai attack has strengthened Indo-US relationship: FBI

Lalit K Jha

Washington, Mar 12 (PTI) The Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) Thursday said the unprecedented level of
cooperation between the investigative agencies of India and
the US following the Mumbai strikes has strengthened Indo-US
ties.

Testifying before a Congressional subcommittee, James
W McJunkin, Deputy Assistant Director, Counter-terrorism
Division of FBI, said the co-operation between the
investigative agencies of two countries have added a new
dimension to the Indo-US relationship.

"One key lesson of the Mumbai attacks have reinforced
is the importance of international partnership," McJunkin said
appearing before the House Committee on Homeland Security
Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure
Protection.

The subcommittee had convened a hearing on "The Mumbai
Attacks: A Wake-Up Call for America's Private Sector."

McJunkin said: "We will continue to work with our
Indian counterparts in India and around the world, to bring
the perpetrators of these attacks to justice and to prevent
further attacks."

"The unprecedented collaboration we developed with our
Indian law enforcement and intelligence counterparts in this
investigation has strengthened our relationship with the
Government of India."

Referring to the statements made by the FBI Director,
Muller during his recent trip to India and Pakistan, McJukin
said terrorism is not an issue for one country alone, all are
fighting against it.

He said the principal lesson from the Mumbai attacks
remain that a small number of trained and determined attackers
with relatively unsophisticated weapons can do a great deal of
damage.

"Last week’s attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in
Lahore, Pakistan, is another example of a low-tech, but
potentially high-impact operation," he said.

"We are concerned about the possibility that other
terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda or its affiliates will
take note of these attacks and attempt to emulate them,"
McJunkin said.