US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday (local time) described the recent blast in Delhi as “clearly a terrorist attack,” commending Indian authorities for their professionalism in handling the investigation.
Responding to a media query on India’s declaration of the November 10 blast as a “terror incident,” Rubio said, “The Indians need to be commended. They’ve been very measured, cautious, and professional in how they are carrying out this investigation. That investigation continues. It clearly was a terrorist attack – a car loaded with highly explosive materials that detonated and killed a lot of people.”
He further added, “I think they are doing a very good job of carrying out the investigation, and I believe when they have all the facts, they will release them.”
Rubio also revealed that he had spoken with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar about the explosion. He said that while the United States had offered to assist, India was “very capable” of conducting the investigation independently.
“We are aware of the potential this incident has to escalate, and we discussed that today – the potential it has to become something broader. We have offered to help, but I think they are very capable of handling these investigations. They don’t need our help and are doing a good job,” Rubio said.
EAM Jaishankar and Secretary Rubio met on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Niagara, Canada, where Rubio expressed condolences for the lives lost in the Delhi blast. Their discussions also covered bilateral relations and global developments.
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in the terrorist incident near the Red Fort on Monday evening.
The Cabinet directed that the investigation be pursued “with utmost urgency and professionalism” to ensure that the perpetrators, their collaborators, and their sponsors are identified and brought to justice.
The resolution said that the country has witnessed a heinous terror incident, perpetrated by anti-national forces, through a car explosion near the Red Fort on the evening of November 10. The explosion resulted in multiple fatalities and caused injuries to several others.
“The Cabinet directs that the investigation into the incident be pursued with the utmost urgency and professionalism so that the perpetrators, their collaborators, and their sponsors are identified and brought to justice without delay,” it added.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is currently leading the probe into the Delhi blast.
(ANI)