Washington: US President-elect Barack Obama has sent his "deepest condolences" to the loved ones of the American citizens who died in the outrageous terrorist attacks in Mumbai and said that America must stand with India to defeat the "hate-filled ideology".

"Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the American citizens who lost their lives in the outrageous terrorist attacks in Mumbai," Obama said in a statement yesterday, following reports that a Virginia man and his daughter had been killed along with a rabbi from New York.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and with all who have been touched by this terrible tragedy," Obama said.

Stressing that the terrorists who targeted innocent civilians could not defeat "India s great democracy", nor "shake the will of a global coalition to defeat them", Obama said, "The United States must stand with India and all nations and people who are committed to destroying terrorist networks, and defeating their hate-filled ideology."

Claiming there was only "one president at a time," Obama said, "We fully support the Bush Administration s efforts to protect American citizens and assist the government of India during this tragic time."

The future White House occupant, however, was receiving regular updates from Bush s administration.

"I will continue to closely monitor the situation on the ground in Mumbai and am grateful for the cooperation of the Bush administration in keeping me and my staff updated."

Obama was also in touch with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as well as with Indian Ambassador Ronen Sen over the latest development in Mumbai.
Source : PTI