Washington, June 12
In the wake of sharp reaction at home to his remarks, External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh today said “the question of sending Indian troops to Iraq does not arise".
The government’s position on this issue is based on national consensus reflected in the parliamentary resolution in the framing of which he played a role. “No request has been made by the US for sending Indian troops to Iraq,” he told reporters at the Indian embassy here.
The minister made it clear that last year’s Parliament resolution against sending troops to Iraq “remains India’s policy”.
“We welcome the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution as a first step in restoring sovereignty to the Iraqi people, leading to stability and reconstruction.”
He pointed out that while the US and Britain had earlier bypassed the Security Council, this time they went through the Security Council.
“We will keep the developments in Iraq under close review,” he said, adding that all decisions will be taken by the government in close consultation with all political parties. —
PTI
