'No grievance can justify such horrible attacks'

The American Jewish Committee on Wednesday said that terrorists' attempt to disrupt India and its economy will not work this time, just like it didn't in November 2008 when they had struck at the country's financial capital.

"No grievance can ever justify such horrible attacks on innocent people," said AJC Executive Director David Harris, alluding to the bomb blasts in Mumbai that killed 18 people and injured more than 100.

"As with the November 2008 terrorist assault on Mumbai, the attackers seek to disrupt India's economic miracle and growing ties with the West, including the United States and Israel.  It didn't work then, and it won't work now," he said.

Expressing its solidarity with the Indian government and people in the wake of the bomb blasts, the AJC, which has an office in Mumbai and maintains extensive relations with India, condemned the blasts in Mumbai and extended condolences to the families of the victims.

"We stand in solidarity with the people and government of India at this hour of tragedy," said Harris.

The US-India Business Council also condemned the attacks.

On behalf of its chairman Terry McGraw, the board of directors, and 375 global member companies, USIBC expressed its deepest sympathies to the people of Mumbai.

"Our thoughts go out to all those affected by today's bombings and especially those who have lost loved ones due to this senseless and cowardly act," it said.

It said that USIBC commends Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for reaffirming her plans to visit India next week, to stand with the people of India, and to show the United States' unwavering support of the world's largest democracy.