UK 'must learn lessons of Mumbai'

Indian relations with Pakistan are fragile after accusations of links

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has told the BBC that anti-terror strategy in the UK will be reviewed as a result of the deadly attacks in Mumbai.

Sending condolences to the families of those who had been killed and injured, she said it was important for the UK to learn lessons to protect its interests.

At least 172 people died during the three-day siege in the Indian city.

Indian home minister Shivraj Patil's resignation letter referred to "owning moral responsibility" for the attacks.

National security adviser MK Narayanan has also tendered his resignation - it is not clear if this has been accepted.

About 10 militants are thought to have been involved in the assault which saw attacks in multiple locations including two hotels, a major railway station, a hospital and a Jewish centre.

It is fundamental to us in protecting our interests that the good relations between the two countries is maintained and carried out on a calm basis Home Secretary Jacqui Smith Minister "quits" over Mumbai attacks

Tensions between India and Pakistan have increased after allegations that the militants had links there, although Islamabad officials have denied this.

Ms Smith told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show that the attacks would "create a test for what has been the warming of relations between India and Pakistan".

She said: "It is fundamental to us in protecting our interests that the good relations between the two countries is maintained and carried out on a calm basis."

Pakistan's high commissioner to London, Wajid Hasan, said his country categorically denied any state involvement in the attacks.

He said it was a confused picture whether or not Pakistani nationals were involved and that it was important not to get involved in the "blame game".

The home secretary once again dismissed criticism of the ID card programme, arguing that it could help tackle the problem of would-be attackers having multiple identities.

She said the first ID cards had been delivered to foreign nationals last week.

'Brave staff'

Separately, British businessman Sir Gulam Noon, who had been staying at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, one of the Mumbai locations attacked, told the Andrew Marr programme of his lucky escape.

He said he had been staying on the third floor and had six people in his suite for dinner at the time when he heard the gun fire.

"I thought they were crackers at first from outside. It was the first time in four days we had not gone down to the restaurant.

"If we had I don't think would be here today."

The curry magnate paid tribute to the courage of staff at the hotel who put themselves at risk to save their guests.

"There were so many brave people, particularly the general manager who in the bargain lost his wife and two children. They were burned alive."