Australia condemns Mumbai serial bomb blasts

Melbourne, Jul 12: Australia today condemned the serial blasts in Mumbai which killed over 170 people and maimed hundreds and called it a ''senseless slaughter of innocent civilians''.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer expressed ''profound sympathy and support for the government and people of India in the face of these cowardly terrorist attacks.'' ''This senseless slaughter of innocent civilians reinforces the continuing importance of strong international resolve to confront the threat posed by terrorism wherever it threatens our communities,'' Mr Downer said in a release.

Both the Indian Ocean rim countries have been working closely to find ways to counter terrorism in the region and elsewhere.

The Australian Foreign Minister had signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism in 2003 along with the then External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha.

''There have been numerous other attacks on the Indian state in recent years, and we share with India a determination to deepen our counter-terrorism efforts as part of establishing broad regional co-operation to combat violent extremism in all its forms,''the Australian Foreign Minister said.

Mr Downer quoted Indian authorities as saying that no foreigners have been killed or injured in the bombings which killed over 170 people and injured hundred others.

Officials from the Australian Consulate-General in Mumbai and the Australian High Commission in New Delhi are also reported to be checking with local authorities to determine whether any Australians were involved.

Australians with concerns for family members in India have been advised by the Foreign Affairs department to ''make contact with their loved ones directly in the first instance''.

UNI

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