KEY POINTS:
World leaders condemned overnight attacks by gunmen in India's commercial hub Mumbai in which at least 86 people were killed and 250 others wounded.
AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER KEVIN RUDD:
"Whichever group has perpetrated this attack, they are cowards, absolute cowards, and murderers," Rudd said.
"This cowardly attack on India's stability, peace and democracy reminds us all that international terrorism is far from defeated, and that we must all maintain our vigilance.
"We stand ready to assist India in any way it needs right now."
US PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH:
United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks."
"We stand with the people of India."
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN:
"These outrageous attacks in Mumbai will be met with a vigorous response. I have sent a message to Prime Minister Singh that the UK stands solidly with his government as they respond, and to offer all necessary help. Urgent action is underway to offer every possible protection to British citizens in the region," Brown said in a statement by his office.
BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY DAVID MILIBAND:
"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," said a statement released on the Foreign Office website.
ACTING AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SIMON CREAN:
"This is a cowardly act, it's indiscriminate, it's a terrorist act, it's insulting democracy, and it takes as victims and casualties innocent people," Crean told reporters.
RUSSIAN PRESIDENT DMITRY MEDVEDEV:
"We are concerned about the loss of life and consider that acts of terrorism of this type are harmful to the whole international order and are a challenge to humanity," Medvedev said through a translator during a visit to Venezuela.
