by Mark Silva and updated
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will head to India this week with hope of defusing tension between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, with Indian officials pointing to culpable groups based within its neighbor's borders.
"President Bush has asked Secretary Rice to travel to India this week in the wake of the terror attacks that killed nearly 200 people, including 6 American citizens,'' White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said last night.
Rice already was leaving last night for a trip to London for a NATO meeting on Tuesday, and now plans to travel on to New Delhi by Wednesday.
"Secretary Rice's visit to India is a further demonstration of the United States' commitment to stand in solidarity with the people of India as we all work together to hold these extremists accountable,'' Perino said.
The Bush administration also has been widely criticized for having a foreign policy toward Pakistan based more on the U.S. relationship with former President Pervez Musharraf and that nation's agreement to cooperate with crackdowns on Al Qaeda forces within its borders.
The president, on the day of the attacks, said in a statement released from Camp David: "My administration has been working with the Indian government and the international community as Indian authorities work to ensure the safety of those still under threat. We will continue to cooperate against these extremists who offer nothing but violence and hopelessness.''
President-elect Barack Obama, at his morning press conference rolling out a national security team this morning, also allowed that he had spoken personally with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the weekend to relay his concern for stability in the region.
Comments
These people in the Bush Administration can't spend the travel money fast enough...She doesn't ned an office in DC.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | December 1, 2008 11:31 AM
It will be refreshing to have a competent person in the secretary of state position with Hillary. While the right loves Rice, the fact remains she has done pretty much zippo in that position.
Posted by: bill r. | December 1, 2008 11:41 AM
The seeds of WWIII? (The real one, not the phony neo-con one)
http://www.counterpunch.org/prashad12012008.html
Posted by: C.Morris | December 1, 2008 1:30 PM
Fortunately there will be a new Rice in the cabinet on January 20 (of course I mean Susan, not Uncle Ben's...)
Posted by: rupert | December 1, 2008 2:32 PM