NEW DELHI, Jan 26: The United States has promised to help India in punishing the Mumbai terror suspects, wherever they are.

The promise, following the conviction of an American citizen by a US court, could be seen as a veiled warning to Pakistan, where the suspects are variously alleged to be sheltered or not being tried energetically enough.

“The 35-year sentence without parole imposed on David Coleman Headley marks another step in US efforts to bring to justice those responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks,” a statement by the US embassy said on Friday.

It said the sentence reflected both the severe punishment for Headley’s role in the heinous 26/11 crimes and a decision by the US Department of Justice not to seek the death penalty.

According to the embassy’s explanation, this decision (not to seek death for Headley) was taken because of Headley’s willingness to cooperate with law enforcement authorities — American, Indian and others — to help bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent other terrorist attacks.

“Headley provided information that was of substantial value in our efforts to combat international terrorism and to save lives,” the US embassy said.

For example, the embassy said, Headley testified against a co-conspirator, Tahawwur Rana, who is now serving a 14-year sentence in federal prison; he provided extensive details about accused terrorist leader Ilyas Kashmiri and his network. Ilyas Kashmiri was indicted in 2009; he answered questions from Indian law enforcement; he assisted US investigators in bringing criminal charges against five other terrorists; he provided US law enforcement authorities with extensive details about the structure, personnel, methods, abilities and plans of terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

“United States and India counter-terrorism cooperation is stronger than ever.

The FBI provided its expertise and testified in the Indian prosecution of Ajmal Kasab. We are working together to see that those responsible for 26/11 and other acts of terrorism are brought to justice, wherever they may be.”