New Delhi: US President George W Bush on August 26 telephoned Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to voice sympathy for the loss of life in the August 25 Mumbai blasts and said in the fight against terror, India has a friend in the US.

Terming the blasts which claimed 52 lives as "cold blooded murder", Bush told Vajpayee that he appreciated the Prime Minister's personal courage in facing the threat of terrorism, official sources said.

"In the fight against terror, India has a friend in the US," Bush said.

Vajpayee thanked Bush for his sympathy and his public statement condemning the acts of terrorism.

The Mumbai blasts, the Prime Minister said, were a "grim reminder that struggle against terrorism continues and we must work together to eliminate the threat".

The call followed a letter of condolence sent by the US leader to Vajpayee earlier in the day, saying that he was "deeply saddened" and that the American people joined him in strongly condemning this crude attempt to sow chaos amongst innocent lives, the sources said.

PTI