New Delhi, Nov. 29 : U. S. Ambassador to India, David C Mulford, on Saturday condemned the terror strikes in Mumbai, and said that he had been directed by President George W Bush to offer cooperation to the Indian authorities.

In a statement, Ambassador Mulford said: "Good afternoon. I''d like to express condolences to the people of India from President Bush and from the people of the United States for the terrible terrorist attack which has taken place in Mumbai. Our sympathies go to the families of the victims. Of course the majority of the victims were Indians, but for the first time, we have seen targeting of Americans. At least, six Americans have been killed.

President Bush has directed us to offer cooperation to Indian authorities in any way that we can. We will be doing that. The United States is very skilled in this field. We are, as you know, engaged in a global war on terror. The United States is duty bound to cooperate, provide assistance, and to become engaged in the investigative process.

I want to underline the importance that we attach to these events, and to express the sympathies of the people of the United States.

When he was asked whether an FBI team has come to Delhi? Mulford said: "Our security people will cooperate in any way they can, including coming to India to offer assistance." (ANI)