WASHINGTON, Dec 21: The US House of Representatives has passed a resolution urging Pakistan to work with India to bring those responsible for Mumbai terror attacks to justice and to prevent terrorists from using its territory as a safe haven and training ground.

The unanimously adopted resolution also welcomed Pakistan’s call for a thorough investigation into the Mumbai attacks and urged the international community “to support a full investigation of the horrific attacks according to the international legal standards”.

The resolution, sponsored by New York Congressman Carolyn McCarthy and co-sponsored by at least 53 other members, said it “joins President George W. Bush and President-elect Barack Obama in expressing the solidarity of the people and government of the US with the people and government of India at this difficult time, and vows its support and readiness to provide all appropriate assistance and resources to the Indian government as it works to bring the terrorists responsible for the attacks to justice”.

It also expressed desire for improved coordination between the US and India, with the goal of combating terrorism and advancing international peace and security and rejected “any effort to confuse or associate the horrific attacks on Mumbai with a particular people or faith as a whole”.

The resolution also urged the international community to renew and strengthen efforts to “defeat terrorists by dismantling terrorist networks, restricting the financing of such networks, and exposing the violent and intolerant ideology of terrorism”.

The resolution called for increasing international cooperation to advance personal and religious freedoms, ethnic and racial tolerance, political liberty and pluralism, and economic prosperity.

It urged the world to combat “extremist ideology” and social injustice, oppression, and poverty that bred terrorism.

Congressman Ed Royce, a ranking member of the House Terrorism, Non-proliferation and Trade Subcommittee, said the Mumbai attacks were carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Mr Royce, incoming co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India, alleged that LeT had expanded its membership, its operational reach, and its influence among the constellation of radical networks.

“What is clear is that Pakistan and South Asia is at a crossroads,” he said. Pakistanis have to make the fundamental decision to turn their backs on the culture of jihad. For if they don’t, the future of their country, the region, and security in the world will be in peril,” Mr Royce said.