Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Australia stood ready to help India in any way possible after more than 100 people were killed, targeting two of India?s plushest hotels.
Australian Federal Police officers have built strong ties with Indonesia and throughout Southeast Asia, helping identify victims in Thailand of the 2004 tsunami and helping track down those behind the 2002 and 2005 Bali bombings. 'We are offering through the Australian federal police assistance with counter-terrorism, and forensics policing, to the Indian authorities, and any other assistance which may be of direct relevance at this time,' Mr Rudd told parliament.
'We stand ready to assist India in any way it needs right now,' he said.
The Australian parliament suspended its usual business to express sympathy for the victims of the Mumbai attacks, and to condemn those responsible.
'Whichever group has perpetrated this attack, they are cowards, absolute cowards, and murderers,' Mr 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.'
Mr Rudd said two Australians had been injured in the attacks, but the number of Australian casualties could rise.