Suggesting that New Delhi should be patient, Rice advised Mukherjee during the telephonic call three days back that India should be understanding towards its neighbour, sources said.

The Secretary of State appeared to indicate that hardline approach of India could complicate problems, the sources said. Mukherjee, on his part, pointed out that India has been dealing with Pakistan with restraint despite the outrageous attacks in Mumbai.

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He, however, said that Pakistan should ensure punishment to those behind the Mumbai attacks and prevention of any further strikes in India, actions which Islamabad is expected to undertake.

Rice agreed with Mukherjee that the perpetrators of the Mumbai carnage need to be brought to justice and said the US was working in this direction, the sources said.

The External Affairs Minister appreciated the support of Rice and rest of the Bush administration to India all these years. He noted that he had enjoyed good rapport with her.

The Bush Administration's tenure will end tomorrow when the Barack Obama government to take over.