India's patience on terror not unlimited: Robert Gates

Appreciating India's restraint after the brazen Mumbai attacks in 2008, visiting US Defence Secretary Robert Gates Wednesday said it is "not reasonable" to think that New Delhi's patience would be unlimited in the face of another terrorist act.

Appreciating India's restraint after the brazen Mumbai attacks in 2008, visiting US Defence Secretary Robert Gates Wednesday said it is "not reasonable" to think that New Delhi's patience would be unlimited in the face of another terrorist act.

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"India has responded with great restraint and statesmanship after the Mumbai terror attacks. But the ability to continue with it after another attack is under question... It is not reasonable to assume that Indian patience is unlimited in case of another attack," Gates said at a press conference here after meeting Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony.

When asked if he had warned the Indian leadership of another imminent attack by terrorist outfits, Gates said there is better cooperation among states at present.

"I think there is very close cooperation not only between India and the US but other powers also. They also give warning information about such attacks or if some planning is going on," Gates added.

Gates arrived in India Tuesday on a two-day visit and has met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, besides Antony.