By Arun Kumar

Washington, July 12 (IANS) US President George Bush and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan have strongly condemned Tuesday's terrorist attacks in India and called for united action by the international community to defeat terrorism.

"The US stands with the people and the government of India and condemns in the strongest terms these atrocities, which were committed against innocent people as they went about their daily lives," Bush said in a statement issued by the White House.

"Such acts only strengthen the resolve of the international community to stand united against terrorism and to declare unequivocally that there is no justification for the vicious murder of innocent people," he said.

Bush and wife Laura also sent, on behalf of the American people, their deepest condolences to the friends and families of the victims of Tuesday's brutal attacks Mumbai's commuter rail network that have killed at least 190 people.

Annan believed that "such acts serve only to reaffirm that terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and to increase the urgency of coordinated action by all countries to defeat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, whenever, wherever and for whatever purpose," a UN statement said.

Extending his deepest condolences to the government and people of India and to all who have lost loved ones in this horrific slaughter, he said such acts cannot possibly be excused by any grievance.

US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff condemned the attacks and said America will continue to stand with India in the war against terror.