NEW DELHI: India and the United States signed an anti-terrorism pact on Friday, a day after Pentagon`s top military officer warned extremists could try and stage fresh attacks on the South Asian country.

The India-US Counter Terrorism Cooperation Initiative aims to boost security ties between the two countries, including closer liaison between their commando and special forces, an Indian government statement said.

The agreement came a day after top US diplomatic and military officials warned of fresh attempts by militant groups to push nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan into a military conflict.

The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, said he feared extremists would attempt another operation similar to the 2008 Mumbai attacks to goad India into armed retaliation against its neighbour.

India said the pact also aims to increase "exchanges between coast guards and the navy on maritime security" and establish procedures to undertake joint investigations.

Signed in the form of a memorandum of understanding the accord will enhance cooperation in tracking money laundering and the financing of terrorism, the home ministry statement said.

India says the Mumbai assault which left 166 people dead was carried out by the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group and abetted by "official agencies" in Pakistan.

US officials said they have pressed Pakistan to prosecute LeT extremists but have so far made little headway.

Mullen, on a two-day visit to India, said Thursday the rampage showed how a small group of extremists could have a "strategic impact" and push the countries towards a possible conflict.

He added that he wanted to reaffirm a flourishing relationship with India`s military, with US and Indian armed forces staging increasingly elaborate joint exercises over the past eight years.

BDST: 1801 HRS, July 23, 2010