The United States has said it will be unreasonable to assume that India will have unlimited patience in case it faces another Mumbai like attack. The US Defence Secretary Mr Robert Gates said that India had responded with great restraint and statesmanship but if attacked again he leaves the question to the Indian government. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi today after his meeting with the Defence Minister Mr. A.K Antony Mr Gates said that the syndicate of terror led Al Qaeda is dangerous for the stability of the region. He said that Al Qaeda is orchestrating attacks by using various terror groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba to provoke conflicts not only between India and Pakistan and creating instability in Pakistan but also to de-stabilise the whole region. He said that it was important for all countries to remain engaged and eliminate the terror groups. Asked whether the Indian leadership had asked him to press Pakistan to do more to combat terror groups on its soil, Mr. Gates said his discussions focused on the syndication of different terror groups as they are putting the whole region at risk. In reply to a question whether he had warned the Indian leadership of another imminent attack by terrorist outfits, Gates said there is better cooperation among states at present. He said that there is very close cooperation not only between India and the US but other powers also. Asked whether he had sought India's military role in Afghanistan, he said the US is not interested in it in view of the real suspicion between India and Pakistan about the role each is playing in that country. He said the role being played by India in Afghanistan in its development is ideal. Talking about US- India defence cooperations, he said the increase in their ties has been unimaginable and described India as an anchor for regional and global stability. During his stay in New Delhi, Mr. Gates met the prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the External Affairs Minister Mr. S.M Krishna.