NEW DELHI (AFP) — India's foreign minister said on Wednesday that all options were open in dealing with Pakistan following last week's Islamic militant attacks on Mumbai.
Speaking at a joint news conference with visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said there was "no doubt" that the militants had come from Pakistan and were coordinated from Pakistan.
"What action will be taken by the government will depend on the response we have from the Pakistan authorities," he said, referring to India's formal demand that Pakistan hand over terrorist suspects and crack down on cross-border militancy.
"I am expecting the response, (and) after obtaining the response, whatever the government considers necessary to protect its territorial integrity, safety and security of its citizens, the government will do that," he added.
"I informed Dr Rice that there is no doubt the terrorists were individuals who came from Pakistan and whose controllers are in Pakistan," Mukherjee said.
He said India wanted to see that "the terrorists and organisations who perpetrated these attacks are arrested and brought to justice".
"We expect all friendly governments and the international community to ensure that this happens."
Rice repeated her call for Pakistan to cooperate with the probe, and noted that US citizens were also among the victims of the attacks that killed at least 188 people and wounded 300 others.
"The response of the Pakistan government should be one of cooperation and action. That is what we expect and we have been sending that message," Rice said.
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