FBI chief Robert Mueller meets Indian officials (Roundup)

Mar 3, 2009, 14:30 GMT

New Delhi - Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Robert Mueller Tuesday discussed security and terrorism-related issues with Indian officials, particularly in the context of last November's terror attack in Mumbai.

Adding urgency to the atmosphere of the security issue talks were Tuesday's events in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, where masked gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team, leaving seven persons dead in the latest terrorism to strike Pakistan.

The head of the United States' federal criminal investigative body and domestic intelligence agency met federal Home Minister P Chidambaram, National Security Adviser MK Narayanan and Intelligence Bureau chief Rajiv Mathur.

'We have discussed terrorism around the world, particularly the Mumbai attacks ... each of us has the intent to ensure all those responsible are brought to justice,' Mueller was quoted as saying by PTI news agency after his meeting with Narayanan.

The FBI has been collaborating with Indian agencies in investigations into the November attacks, which left more than 170 people dead.

Indian agencies charged that the terrorists involved in the attack came from neighbouring Pakistan and were supported by elements in that country.

The FBI team and Intelligence Bureau officials shared evidence on the Mumbai attacks during the meeting Tuesday, PTI reported citing official sources.

Both sides agreed that Pakistan should cooperate and hand over wanted terrorists for questioning to unravel what appeared to be a global terror network, the sources said.

The FBI has helped Indian investigators with the analysis of voice over internet protocol (VoIP) and global positioning systems of satellite phones used by the gunmen in Mumbai.

India allowed the FBI to examine evidence related to the attack and interrogate accused in custody.

The US agency is believed to have played a key role in investigations by assisting an exchange of information between India and Pakistan.