JAKARTA - DEADLY attacks in Mumbai last week have 'reinforced the determination' of the New Delhi government to fight terrorism, India's president said in Jakata on Monday.

'The recent brutal attacks in India are the handiwork of those who have no regard for human life and were designed to disrupt the progress of nations and peace in societies,' Pratibha Patil said.

'The incident has reinforced the determination of India to fight resolutely against the threat of terrorism,' she said at a joint press conference after meeting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Jakarta.

India's security and intelligence services have been criticised for failing to foresee and quickly react to the attacks, which claimed at least 172 lives in a 60-hour assault that began on Wednesday night.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil resigned on Sunday to take what he said was 'moral responsibility' over the carnage, which authorities say was carried out by highly trained gunmen from Pakistan.

'International cooperation is necessary to overcome terrorist attacks like Mumbai,' said Mr Yudhoyono, whose country has been the target of deadly attacks by Islamist extremists.

President Patil and Mr Yudhoyono also signed memoranda of understanding on education, agriculture, tourism, film, youth and sport.

They also pledged to reach an annual bilateral trade target of US$10 billion (S$15.2 billion) a year by 2010, up from current trade of US$6.5 billion. -- AFP

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