WASHINGTON, Nov 27 US President George Bush and President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday condemned the deadly attacks in Mumbai that killed more than 120 people and offered help to Indian authorities.

The US State Department has set up a task force in Mumbai for assisting Americans living there or travelling through the city.

Mr Obama`s transition team said he was receiving regular updates on the situation in Mumbai.

In a statement issued by the White House, President Bush said the United States “stands ready to assist and support the Indian government”.

“The United States condemns this terrorist attack and we will continue to stand with the people of India in this time of tragedy,” the statement said.

US media reports said the United States was ready to send intelligence agents to India, should their assistance be requested.

In a statement issued by his transition team, Mr Obama observed that “these coordinated attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate the grave and urgent threat of terrorism”. Brooke Anderson, Chief National Security spokesperson for the Obama transition team, said “the United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks”.

Mr Anderson added “We stand with the people of India, whose democracy will prove far more resilient than the hateful ideology that led to these attacks.”

Mr Obama has also established a team to interact with the State Department and with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. An Obama aide said the Bush administration “helpfully provided regular updates through several channels”.

The US State Department has set up a hotline for providing information about US citizens travelling or living India.

“Some of the casualties are foreigners, and media reports indicate Americans have been targeted,” the State Department said.

The State Department also issued a fresh travel warning about India, noting that the terrorists had targeted locations frequented by westerners.

“Due to the fluid situation in Mumbai, Americans are urged to defer travel to Mumbai for at least the next 48-72 hours,” the statement said. “Those currently in Mumbai are asked to take shelter at their current location and contact family and friends.”

The travel warning urged Americans throughout India to “be vigilant about security at all times”.

It advised Americans to “monitor local news reports, vary their routes and times in carrying out daily activities, and consider the level of security present when visiting public places, including religious sites, or hotels, restaurants, entertainment and recreation venues.”

The travel advisory warned that “if unattended packages are spotted, American citizens should immediately exit the area and report the packages to authorities.”