7 Nov 2010

Obama begins India visit with Mumbai tribute

10:00 am on 7 November 2010

US President Barack Obama, on a visit to the scene of deadly attacks in Mumbai in 2008, has said India and America are united against terrorism.

Mr Obama said the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, where he and his wife are staying as guests, was a symbol of India's strength and resilience.

The hotel was one of the targets of the attacks by Islamic militants, and contains a memorial to the victims.

More than 170 people died in a series of co-ordinated attacks across the city in November 2008.

Trade deals

The president is on the first leg of a 10-day Asian tour designed to boost US exports and create jobs.

He announced $US10 billion in new trade deals with India which the White House said would help to support around 54,000 jobs in the United States.

The BBC reports that among the deals were the sales of Boeing aircraft to a private Indian airline, of GE fighter jets to the Indian military and of gas and steam turbines to an Indian energy company.

President Obama is also due to visit Indonesia, South Korea and Japan.