They carried placards with messages such as "we are with you America, kill all terrorists" and "crush out terrorism from this world."

Nagesh Bhandari, convenor of the Alliance Against Terrorism group which organised the rally, said India ought to support the war as "it was the victim of terrorism for the last 15 to 20 years."

"Pan-Islamists and leftists are trying to hijack the war against Iraq to further their ideological goals which are at variance with India's strategic interests," he said.

"Sometimes talks do not lead to any solution. Terrorists understand only one language. Terrorism needs to be countered with terrorism."

Mignesh Parikh, a 26-year-old, said he was supporting "the war because it was against terrorism" and not because it was being waged by the United States.

Gujarat has been the scene of some of the worst sectarian violence since February last year, when 59 Hindus were torched alive in a train in Godhra, more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of here.

In the subsequent rioting, more than 2,000 people were killed, mostly Muslims.

Hindu nationalist BJP party swept to power in last year's state polls, riding on the wave of anti-Muslim sentiment among the majority Hindus.

Another participant at Tuesday's demonstration had self-interest as his prime motive. He said Indian businessmen could benefit from the contracts for rebuilding Iraq.

"Even I am expecting some business. Going by the reports in the media, the entire telecommunication infrastructure of Iraq has been destroyed in the war. This spells huge business for us," said Jagat Shah, a businessman.

SPACE.WIRE