New Delhi, India (CNN) -- U.S. President Barack Obama's first stop in Asia will be India's financial hub of Mumbai, scene of the deadly terror attacks of November 2008 that left 164 people dead.
His planned commemoration of the terrorist attack during his first event there underlines the importance that the U.S. is placing on boosting collaboration in dealing with terrorism believed to be centered in the region across India's western borders, analysts say.
"Obama's Mumbai visit is symbolic of the perspective India and the United States share on terrorism. It should lead to strengthening of counterterrorism efforts," said V.P. Malik, India's former army chief.
The 2008 terror attacks, blamed on Pakistan-based militants, derailed a fragile peace process between New Delhi and Islamabad.
Under U.S. pressure, the two nuclear-capable states held talks this year in an attempt to resume their fully-fledged dialogue, but progress has been slow.
Apart from their bitter dispute over the Himalayan region of Kashmir, India and Pakistan have also been wary of each other's roles in Afghanistan.
CNN
