26/11: US terms Pak admission an important first step

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February 13, 2009 15:25 IST

The United States on Friday termed Pakistan's admission that the Mumbai attacks were launched from its soil as an "important first step in the right direction" and said it will "watch and help" to ensure that Islamabad completes the investigation and prosecution in the case.

"I think it is very upward looking, important first step in the right direction," US Ambassador to India David C Mulford told media persons on the sidelines of a function organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi.

Mulford said, "Pakistan's response to the Indian dossier on the Mumbai strikes is a beginning of a process that they accept and are willing to proceed on the material provided by New Delhi."

"We will all wait and watch and help to ensure that Pakisdoes go forward and complete their investigation and prosecution," he said.

Mulford appreciated Indian reaction to Pakistan's probe in the Mumbai attacks and said that the US also viewed Islamabad's response as very positive.

He said that the Indian dossier was an example of the growing co-operation in counter-terrorism between the US and India and noted that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had played a key role in investigating the Mumbai attacks, as American nationals were also killed.

Mulford said the relationship with India will remain a top priority for the new Barack Obama administration which assumed office last month.

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