Piyush 'Bobby' Jindal, the only Indian American lawmaker in the US Congress, speaking in support of the House resolution condemning the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last week, has said that it is important that America extends its sympathies and stands with the people of India and Israel as they have been subject to terrorist attacks.
Taking to the House floor, Jindal said: "It is imperative that the US help both India and Israel, our allies. Our democratic allies stand for the very values of pluralism and democracy that are so important to us here at home in America."
Jindal said the terrorist attacks in Mumbai were an attack not only on India but on the very democracy and pluralism that India represents; values that are important not only for India, but also for America and every part of the world.
"The Mumbai attacks on crowded commuter trains and stations obviously reminded many of the terrorist attacks on the London public transportation system last July and the Madrid train bombing in March 2004," he said.
"They also reminded India, however, of a series of terrorist attacks; for example, a series of bomb blasts in Mumbai in 1993 that killed more than 250 people," he added.
Jindal said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had attended the G-8 summit in Saint Petersburg Russia 'with a clear agenda.' Echoing Dr Singh's remarks, Jindal said, "The world community must declare Zero tolerance for terrorism anywhere."
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Florida Republican and the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, recalled, "In the wake of the tragic September 11 attacks, India was the first nation to step forward and offer assistance to our nation. Five years later, the United States humbly offers its assistance to India. Your loss is our loss. Your struggles are our struggles."
"Due to the Indian government's swift response to the attacks, police have captured five persons suspected to be involved. America stands by the Indian people and its government in their efforts to bring to justice those responsible, and we will work together with India to disrupt and dismantle the networks that have made attacks like these all too possible," she noted.
