India, US united in fight against global terror: Obama

In an emotional speech, the US president Barack Obama on Saturday said the US and India stand together in the fight against global terror. Obama said the perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks should be punished. He also called the Hotel Taj, a major site of the 26/11 attacks, a symbol of the strength and resilience of the Indian people.

He said India and US are working together on counter-terrorism measures. He also quoted India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi in his speech.

 Moments before Barack Obama's speech on the Mumbai terror attacks,he and  Michelle signed the guest book at the Taj hotel. Obama isleft handed and curiously writes in a curious lop-sided manner. However,  President Obama made no reference to Pakistan's role in the Mumbai terror attacks. His speech was guarded.  On his first stop on a four-day India visit, Obama visited the 26/11 memorial at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai.

Obama also spoke to a few survivors of the 26/11 attacks, in which 166 people, including five Americans were killed.  As reported, The Gateway of India and Taj Mahal Hotel provided Obama the ultimate photo-op when he delivered the most sentimental speech.  Obama addressed the gathering in the backdrop of Mumbai’s signature monument, set opposite the city’s iconic 107-year-old hotel, which bore the brunt of the 26/11 terror attack.
 
President Obama was taken around the Taj by Ratan Tata, the Chairman of Tata Sons which owns the Taj chain of hotels, and Raymond Bikson, the CEO of the Taj Group. Symbolically, the US President and many in his 3000-person entourage will be staying at the Taj. All the 506 rooms in the hotel have been booked for the delegation.

"The Taj has been a symbol of the determination and resilience of the people of India. By staying here, we want to send out a message, we want our people secure," said Obama, after visiting the Tree of Life memorial at the Taj. The US President recalled all the acts of heroism on that fateful day in 2008, and made special mention of the hotel manager Karambir Kang, who stayed back in the hotel to help, inspite of losing his own family in the attack.