The days of violence and destruction and the hundreds of dead and wounded in Mumbai present a picture in India that is both reminiscent of 9/11 and dangerous to peace.

Indians are stunned and angry at what happened. As Americans were in their reaction to Sept. 11, they have become aware of the limits of their intelligence services in the face of plotting that preceded last week's attacks. Their exasperation is worsened by the lack of clarity on the question of who the perpetrators were.

The other, more dangerous piece of the picture is that, just as Americans were after 9/11, the Indians are looking for revenge for the attack. In the case of India, the Mumbai massacre comes against a long background of sometimes violent differences with neighboring Pakistan that date to 1947. The countries have seen two wars, and the threat of war always looms.

The primary contention is the disputed territory of Kashmir, but the roots of the conflict are deeper, drawing on the predominantly Muslim character of Pakistan and the dominant Hindu faith of India, which also has an important Muslim minority. Both countries have nuclear weapons and large standing armies. Both have regular elections, which make the Mumbai attacks a fruitful area for politicians who are likely to take a less-than-responsible approach to the crisis.

Yesterday Indian foreign ministry officials told Pakistan's ambassador that Pakistanis were responsible for the attacks and that "strong action would be taken" against those behind the killings. Pakistan's leaders have said they are not aware the attackers had any links to Pakistan-based militant groups.

The United States, which has good relations with both countries and a strong interest in peace in South Asia, must offer sympathy based on America's own experience of terrorism and pour soothing balm on the wounds and oil on the troubled waters.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will visit the region and President George W. Bush has been on the phone to the prime ministers of both countries. The tragedy of Mumbai must not be allowed to serve as a stimulus to a much more expanded conflict between India and Pakistan.