New Delhi, Sept 11: The United States today pledged to stand by India in its battle against terrorism and made it clear that the issue of cross border infiltration remained "very important" in its agenda with Pakistan. On the second anniversary of the September 11 terror strikes in the US, President George W Bush sent a message to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee extending America's solidarity and support as India remembered its citizens who were killed in the attack on the World Trade Centre buildings.

"On behalf of the American people, I would like to extend to you our solidarity and support as you remember your citizens who died in the terrorist attacks in the US on September 11, 2001," Bush said in the message read out by visiting Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca here at a function organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries.

"The struggle to put an end to terrorism will be long and difficult. We wage this struggle for ourselves and for our children, but also to honour the victims of terror and reaffirm the inherent value of their lives," Bush said.

Rocca said, "The US will stand by India in its battle against terrorism just as india has stood with the us in its battle against terrorism".

Well aware of India's continuing concerns over terrorism sponsored from Pakistan, she said, "I can also reassure you that cross-border infiltration remains a very important issue on our agenda with Pakistan".

Rocca said that the US and President Bush in particular have condemned all forms of terrorism in the strongest possible terms. "The recent bombings in Srinagar and the deadly blasts in Mumbai are horrific examples of this crime."

She said president bush had categorically condemned those bombings and extended the sympathy of the American people. "Acts of terror are intended to sow fear and chaos among free peoples. I hope that the perpetrators of these murders will be identified quickly and brought to justice".
Later, in a question-answer session, Rocca, who returns tomorrow night to Washington, said "combating extremism is something which is in the interest of Pakistan and we will continue to encourage Pakistan to do it".

She was asked about a recent report in the 'New York Times' which referred to an address by Harkat-ul Mujahideen leader Fazlur Rahman Khaleel in Islamabad to raise funds for 'Jehad' for Kashmir and Afghanistan.

Rocca, who has held meetings with Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal and senior officials of the external affairs ministry, made it clear that she was not on a mission to press India to send its troops to Iraq to participate in the stabilisation force.

"Contrary to all the headlines that everybody has read today, I am not here to discuss the issue of troops or to put any pressure on government of India to send troops to Iraq. I am here for bilateral consultations on bilateral regional dialogue", she said adding "Iraq obviously came up in the discussion".
Bureau Report