Washington (dpa) - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was to visit
India later this week, the White House announced late Sunday.

Rice was due to leave late Sunday on a previously scheduled trip to
London, and would continue on to India following NATO meetings on
Tuesday, arriving Wednesday in New Delhi.

Dana Perino, press secretary to US President George W Bush, said
that Rice was sent on the mission to India as "a further demonstration
of the United States' commitment to stand in solidarity with the people
of India" after last week's terrorist strikes in Mumbai, which left
nearly 200 people dead.

Six US citizens were slain in the attacks on targets across the Indian financial centre, including two landmark hotels. (dpa)