Terrorism is a global problem, says FBI chief

In a bid to evolve a joint strategy to bring perpetrators of the Mumbai terror strikes to justice, top United States and Indian officials on Tuesday asked Pakistan to extend cooperation in investigating the 26/11 attacks.

Federal Bureau of Investigation's Director Robert Mueller, who arrived in New Delhi today afternoon, held a series of meetings with Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and Intelligence Bureau Chief Rajiv Mathur, among others.

During the meeting, the FBI and IB top brass shared the evidence available including the actual names of Lashker-e-Tayiba terrorists like Abu Al Qama, Zarar Shah and 17 others.

The FBI conveyed the hardships being faced by its team in Pakistan for questioning the wanted Lashkar terrorists, who were directing the LeT militants through Voice over Internet Protocol during the November 26 strikes, which went on for 69 hours and claimed 183 lives.

Both sides agreed that Pakistan should cooperate and hand over the wanted terrorists for questioning, to unravel the wider ramification of the global terror network, they said.

Emerging after his meeting with National Security Adviser M K Narayanan, the last on his itinerary, Mueller said, "We have discussed terrorism around the world, particularly the Mumbai attacks...each of us has the intent to ensure all those responsible are brought to justice."

Referring to the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan, Mueller, who himself is likely to travel to Pakistan on Wednesday, said terrorism was not a local issue but a global problem.

"It is an issue across the world and to be successful, we have to work together, share intelligence, utilise our various judicial systems to bring to justice those responsiblefor the attacks," he said.

The FBI chief said his organisation was prepared to work with its counterparts around the world.

"We will continue to work with our counterparts around the world to bring these persons to justice and prevent further attacks," he said.