Bangalore: The US law enforcement agencies are coordinating with India in trying to ensure the "return" of underworld don Abu Salem to India to bring him to justice, American Ambassador to India Robert D Blackwill said on October 11.

"Every day we are in touch. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is in constant discussion with FBI," Blackwill told businessmen at a luncheon meeting organised by the Greater Mysore of Chamber of Industry (GMCI) in Bangalore.

Blackwill said soon after he came to know of Salem's arrest in Lisbon while he was in Agra, he spoke to the US authorities to act in India's interest, following which a request also came from the Indian Home Ministry for the US to "to do whatever we can do" on the issue.

Indian authorities are trying with Portugal authorities for extradition of Salem, a key accused in the Mumbai serial bomb blasts in 1993, ever since he was detained in Lisbon with his wife Monica Bedi.

Saying the US and India had the "closest co-operation" in tackling terrorism, he said both the countries had been constantly exchanging "sensitive information" with each other.

Replying to a query on cross-border terrorism, he said the US believed that India had the right to "self-defence' as a "great Democracy" and condemned in unequivocal terms terrorism against India from any place.

"The US makes no distinction between terrorists and freedom fighters. Anyone who injures or kills innocent people is a terrorist whatever they may call themselves," he said, obviously referring to defence of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir in the name of freedom struggle.

PTI