India
Indian Embassy to the U.S.
Press Statement on Murder of Arizona Sihk
Washington, D.C.
September 17, 2001
The Embassy of India is deeply grieved to learn of the death of Mr. Balbir Singh
Sodhi, a member of the Indian-American community belonging to the Sikh faith.
Mr. Sodhi died after he was shot on September 15, 2001 at his gas station in
Mesa, Arizona.
On hearing of Mr. Sodhis death, Ambassador Lalit Mansingh spoke to White
House authorities underlining the need to prevent any such crime against persons
of Indian origin on the basis of mistaken identity. The Ambassador was assured
of full cooperation at the highest level.
Indias Consul General in San Francisco also brought the shooting incident
immediately to the notice of Attorney General of Arizona and the Mayor of
Phoenix. The Ambassador also spoke to the bereaved family members and expressed
his deep sympathies. The need to prevent attacks on innocent people of Indian
origin was also conveyed by Prime Minister Vajpayee to President Bush during
his telephonic conversation on September 16, 2001. President Bush readily
agreed that these attacks should not happen.
India has expressed its deep sympathies with the tragedy that has befallen
on the American people. The Government and people of India stand with the
United States in this fight against terrorism and have offered their full
cooperation to the United States.