WASHINGTON, Nov. 30  -- U. S. President George Bush Sunday dispatched Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to India as the investigation continued into the Mumbai terrorist attacks.

White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said in a written statement that Rice would arrive in New Dehli Wednesday.

Rice left Washington Sunday for a previously scheduled NATO conference in London.

Perino's statement said Rice's trip was a "demonstration of the United States' commitment to stand in solidarity with the people of India."

The statement made no mention of specific meetings Rice might have with Indian leaders; however, any escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan are considered a serious concern for Washington. Pakistan is a focal point of the U. S. campaign against militant Islamic terrorism and is also a nuclear-armed historic rival of India. (UPI)