Britain to help India to "root out terrorism" (2nd Roundup)

Nov 27, 2008, 14:15 GMT

London - Britain will give every possible assistance to India in its effort 'to root out terrorism' following the attacks in Mumbai in which one Briton was amongst the more than 100 people who died, Prime Minister Gordon Brown pledged Thursday.

As the Foreign Office confirmed that one Briton was among the dead, Brown announced that British counter-terrorism police and security officials had been sent to Mumbai to assist Indian police in the aftermath of the attacks.

Despatch of the emergency team had been agreed in discussions with the Indian authorities, Brown said. They were, in addition to civilian emergency experts, including Red Cross officials, being sent to Mumbai.

He had spoken on the phone to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other world leaders about how to respond to the 'horrific incidents' that had shocked the world, said Brown.

'Our first duty is towards British citizens who are caught up in this. Our second responsibility is obviously to root out terrorism and help the Indian government with their action,' said Brown.

Brown said it was clear that there were still 'a lot of people caught up in hotel rooms' in Mumbai and Britain was currently focusing on staying in touch with British nationals involved.

He revealed that the cabinet's emergency committee, known as Cobra, had met twice since the Mumbai attacks began and that he had been in 'touch with a number of world leaders.'

Once an assessment had been made about which group was responsible for the attacks, the 'implications for the rest of the world' would move to the forefront of discussions.

Earlier Thursday, Britain's High Commissioner to India, Richard Stagg, told the BBC that seven British citizens had been injured in the attacks.

The Foreign Office repeated its travel warning to India, saying that only essential travel should be undertaken. It urged British nationals in Mumbai to stay indoors until the situation was safe.