MUMBAI, Nov. 6, 2010 (Xinhua) --

U.S. President Barack Obama Saturday said here that his stay at the Hotel Taj in Mumbai is meant to send a "powerful message" against terrorism and said he was looking forward to deepening partnership in counterterrorism during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"There has been a great commentary on our decision to begin our visit here, in this dynamic city at this historic hotel. Those who have asked whether this is intended to send a message my answer is simply absolutely," Obama said shortly after arrival in the Indian financial capital.

Demanding that the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks should be brought to book, Obama told a gathering of kin of Mumbai terror attacks victims: "We will never forget the awful images of the Nov. 26 attacks, the flames from Taj Hotel that lit up skies on those four days of Nov., 2008."

"We today, U.S. and India are working together, more closely than ever to deepen counterterrorism (cooperation), to keep our people safe." he said.

Obama is accompanied by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and National Security Advisor Tom Donillon and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke.

Sunday afternoon, Obama will reach New Delhi for talks with Indian leaders before leaving for Indonesia on Tuesday.

Obama also talked about the role of an Indian nanny who saved the life of a toddler, who lost his Jewish parents during the attack at the Chabad House here.

The chief minister of Maharashtra handed the president a gift packet and a bouquet to the U.S. First Lady, who wore a grey dress with a three-string pearl necklace around her neck.

After lunch at the Presidential Suite of the hotel, Obama visited the Mani Bhavan, a museum dedicated to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandh, whom Obama considers as his hero.

This is Obama's first visit to India. It is also his first halt in a four-nation Asian tour that will also take him to South Korea and Japan where he will attend an APEC summit.

He was received at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji international airport by Chief Minister of the western state of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan and Protocol Minister Suresh Shetty as well as central government Minister Salman Khurshid.

The Taj Hotel became the target of the terror attacks on Nov. 26, 2008, in which over 170 people, including some foreigners, were killed.

The U.S. President will stay in Mumbai for one-and-a-half day till Sunday mid-day after which he will head to the national capital where he will meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil and address the Indian Parliament.

After arriving with Air Force One, Obama flew to an Indian navy base in the southern Mumbai district of Colaba by an American Black Hawk military helicopter, before driving to the Taj Hotel amid heavy security.

His staff also flew to Colaba with three Chinhook helicopters.

Editor: Yang Lina