Mumbai, July 18 - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Saturday that Pakistan needed to 'root out' terrorist groups directed against Indian interests.

Clinton told a news conference here that the US had seen 'a much greater effort and commitment ... to take on the terrorists' in Pakistan.

'There is a concerted effort we can look forward to. It is too early to tell the outcome of this commitment from Pakistan. In the next few days, I believe, there will be greater awareness whether or not to bring the Mumbai terrorists to justice.'

Asked if she believed that Islamabad needed to act against terrorist group active against India, she said: 'We believe they have to be rooted out, they must be defeated, they must be dismantled. We say that clearly, we will continue to do so.'

Terrorists from Pakistan sneaked into Mumbai in November last year and massacred some 170 people. The event has soured ties between India and Pakistan.