The Hindu Business Line : It's business as usual for US firms here

It's business as usual for American companies in India who seem to be unfazed despite the security advisory issued by the US Embassy warning of possible bomb attacks by terrorists on key installations in Delhi and Mumbai.

A large number of US based companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Hughes, Lucent, Motorola, Qualcomm, GE and Rockwell have offices in these two cities.

Mr Ranjan De, Managing Director, Rockwell Automation India Ltd, "We do not see any panic situation here. However, we are adopting a cautious approach especially when it comes to international travel."

A DuPont official said that the company has its own safety and security monitoring group, which has issued a global alert on all UK travel. "There has been no advisory for India right now. Here it is business as usual," the company official said.

Mr Pranav Roach, President, Hughes Networks, said that the US Embassy has been issuing advisories from time to time ever since the 9/11 attacks. "This is not the first time that such an advisory has been issued. This doesn't really have an impact on the functioning of our company," he said .

Motorola spokesperson said that there were no US citizens who are working in their Indian units, though there might be a few Americans visiting Motorola India and there is no change in their schedules.

The US Embassy today issued a security advisory that foreign terrorists, possibly including members of al-Qaeda, allegedly intend to carry out a series of bombing attacks in or around New Delhi and Mumbai in the days leading up to Independence Day on August 15.

"Likely targets include major airports, key central Indian government offices, and major gathering places such as hotels and markets.

The Embassy urges American citizens to maintain a low profile, and be especially alert and attentive to their surroundings during this period," the advisory said.