Washington, Sep 8 (IANS): Condemning the "cowardly" bombing attack outside Delhi High Court, the United States has expressed its sympathy and solidarity with India and offered any and all assistance to Indian authorities.
US Deputy Secretary of State William J Burns conveyed Washington's sympathies to the new Indian ambassador to the US, Nirupama Rao, when she came to the State Department Wednesday to present her credentials.
Rao would be formally presenting her credentials to President Barack Obama later, but with Burns accepting her credentials at the State Department, she can start functioning as India's new face in Washington.
During the meeting, Burns was also able to express US sympathy and solidarity on the terrorist attack outside the Delhi High Court, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters Wednesday.
Asked if the US had received any request for assistance from India, Nuland said: "This just happened in Delhi just a few hours ago, so I think the Indian government is still at the stage of evaluating what it might need.
"But we have made clear that we stand ready to help if there is a formal request."
Earlier in a press statement condemning "in the strongest terms this morning's deadly bombing outside the New Delhi High Court" Nuland said:
"Terrorism is a scourge that affects us all and the United States stands with India in confronting this global challenge."
Extending US' "deepest condolences to those affected by these cowardly attacks," she said: "The people of India have once again demonstrated remarkable resiliency and courage in the face of horrific violence."
Meanwhile, Texas governor Rick Perry, who is a leading Republican presidential aspirant, condemned the attack saying Wednesday's "bombing in India and the tragic loss of life are graphic reminders that Al Qaeda and similar groups remain committed to murder, terror and attacking freedom across the globe."
Another lawmaker Pete Sessions expressed the hope that "those responsible for this unspeakable violence may be quickly identified to ensure that they are held accountable for their horrific actions."