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Experts differ on sending troops to Iraq
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 18
A debate is on about sending Indian troops to Iraq under the aegis of the United Nations even as the USA and the UK are stoutly defending the war against that country.

There are two views emerging with critics asserting that India should not think of sending troops to Iraq even under the UN flag as the USA and the UK are now trying to force their “war” on other countries.

Facing a backlash at home, these two countries are now not only justifying the war against Iraq but are trying to push other countries to be part of the stabilisation force under the UN flag. Earlier this week, India rejected the US proposal of sending troops to Iraq though it had left the option open about a possible deployment under the UN flag.

However, the low-intensity war by the supporters of ousted President Saddam Hussein and the daily killings of US soldiers is now being quoted by experts and even serving senior armed forces officers as the reason that India should not send its troops to Iraq even under the UN flag.

While former Chief of Army Staff, Gen V. P. Malik, participating in a discussion on the issue on a television show last night insisted that there was nothing wrong with India sending troops to Iraq under the UN flag, some other senior military officers, who did not want to be identified, said there was no reason for India to send troops to Iraq as “we would end up fighting a war started by somebody else”.

Defence analysts are also of the opinion that the experience in Iraq could prove to be expensive for India due to the tactics being adopted by supporters of the deposed Iraqi President. The US military officials have already acknowledged that supporters of Saddam Hussein are now adopting guerrilla warfare tactics, which are proving costly for them.

Military officials here point out that although the Army would have no option but to fall in line with the government’s decision if it decides to send troops under the UN flag, it would end up fighting another low-intensity war. India is already fighting one such war in Jammu and Kashmir and would New Delhi be ready to lose more troops fighting such a war for somebody else, they asked.

Casualties among the Indian troops may well become a political issue as there is no consensus in the country on sending troops, experts point out. They apprehend that there was every possibility of the situation turning for the worse in Iraq.