Germany expresses condolence to India over Mumbai attacks

Source: Xinhua | 11-28-2008 09:24

BERLIN, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier extended on Thursday their condolence to India over the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, vowing to offer assistance.

Merkel phoned Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday to express shock at the terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

In her message of condolence, Merkel said Germany condemned "these criminal acts in strong terms," and "our thoughts are with the victims and their families."

Merkel, who, according to local media, had once stayed around a year ago in the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, one of the targets of the attackers, pledged to provide assistance in the crisis.

Steinmeier also offered his condolences to Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

"I would like to extend to you and to the Indian people, also on behalf of my fellow Germans, our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy," he said.

"The Federal Government condemns these cold-blooded attacks, which were clearly planned far in advance, in the strongest possible terms," he added.

Steinmeier said the attacks remind the world of cooperating "even more closely at international level to combat terrorism," calling for further developing and intensifying cooperation in this field.

In one of the most violent terror attacks on Indian soil, Mumbai came under an unprecedented attack on Wednesday as militants used heavy machine guns and grenades to strike at the city's most high-profile targets, killing at least 101 and injuring hundreds of others.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei