Reactions in the UK
Her Majesty the Queen – shocked and saddened
"I am shocked and deeply saddened by the attacks that occurred in Mumbai.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who died and with those who have been injured."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown – expressed shock and outrage
Gordon Brown has spoken of his shock and outrage at the terror attacks. The PM said: “I think I speak for the whole world - shock and outrage at the tragic destruction of innocent lives. I have already sent my sympathy and support to Prime Minister Singh of India and to say we will do everything we can to help the Indian government.”
“Our first duty is towards British people caught up in this terror in Mumbai…it is too early to say any numbers for the numbers of people who are injured - we will give that during the course of the day - what I can assure you is we are doing everything within our power.” He said that British counter-terror officers were on their way to the Indian city to assist local authorities and that a crisis centre had been set up at the Foreign Office for concerned friends and relatives.
The Prime Minister pledged to “root out terrorism” and called for the sharing of information between countries on the activities of suspected extremists. The world “has to come together to fight these terrorist groups”, he said.
UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband – unreservedly condemned
The Foreign Secretary gave a statement on the evening of 26 November. He said: "Today's attacks in Mumbai which have claimed many innocent victims remind us, yet again, of the threat we face from violent extremists. I condemn these attacks unreservedly. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those killed and injured. The UK and India will continue their joint efforts to counter the actions of terrorists".
David Cameron, Leader of the Conservative Party – attack on India was an attack on UK too
“I utterly condemn the attacks that have taken place in Mumbai, and the terrible loss of life that has occurred. My thoughts are with all those who have been caught up in these attacks. India and Britain stand together at this time in the face of terrorism.”
Mr Cameron described the incidents as "absolutely horrific" and said nations must unite to fight the threat of terrorism. He said there was no such thing as an "isolated terrorist attack" and that the attack on India was an attack on the UK too. "They want to stop us travelling, trading and co-operating," Mr Cameron said of those responsible. "We should say no." "We will stand together. We will defeat extremist terrorism wherever it comes from. We will not be cowed or bullied by these people."
Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democratic Party - international community stands together
"Our immediate thoughts are with those families who are worried about their loved ones. Everything must be done to help them at this difficult time.
"When violent terrorism raises its ugly head, it is crucial that the international community stands together.
"India and Britain have close historical ties which should rightly prompt a signal of strong support from Britain to the Indian Government."
Statement in UK Parliament on Mumbai terror attacks
PM Gordon Brown
“A week after the terrible events in Mumbai, the whole country and, I believe, the whole House are in a state of shock at the scale and devastation of the murder of innocent people. It underlines again the threat that a democratic society faces from those who would use terror indiscriminately against ordinary people. I have sent this country's condolences and sympathy to all who have suffered from this loss of life. Terrorists cross borders to murder innocent people. Our response must be to work across borders to protect them and demonstrate that terrorism will not succeed in undermining democracy.
Our country has offered Prime Minister Singh and India every support in countering extremism. We have sent men and women from the Metropolitan police. We have agreed on the need to generate even closer co-operation against terrorism. I have spoken to President Zardari of Pakistan and urged him to offer the fullest support to India in rooting out terrorism and to show that he will bring to justice any terrorists who seek haven in his country.”
David Cameron, Conservative Party leader
“The work of our armed forces also reminds us of the threat that we face from global terrorism. We saw it last week with the appalling attacks in Mumbai, and our thoughts are with the friends and families of all those who lost their lives. We should be clear about what the terrorists are trying to do: they are trying to rob India of her rightful place in the global economy, to set one community against another, and to set east against west. We should also be clear that those terrorists will not stop trade and co-operation, and they will not break up the excellent relations that exist between Britain and India. We must never give in to that sort of terror.”
Lord Malloch Brown, Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN responding to Queen’s speech in Parliament on 4 December
“We see also a challenge to civilian democratic rule in relations with the military. Without wanting to speculate too much on what happened in Mumbai, I regret that I cannot be quite as sanguine as my noble friend Lord Ahmed that we should wait to see what evidence is produced. Already at this stage one has to acknowledge that there was clear involvement on the part of not—I repeat, not—the Pakistan Government but of groups based in Pakistan. That poses a challenge to the Pakistani authorities, civilian and military, to make sure that they fully co-operate with the Indians in the investigation of these acts, and if necessary in the turning over of suspects to meet justice in India's courts. Many of us can recall the near-war situation that arose in 2002 when a similar terrorist incident was not followed by necessary co-operation between the two Governments.”
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