New Delhi, February 4
The United States has not asked India for troops for Iraq since June 30 last, the US Ambassador here, Mr David C. Mulford, said today.

The American envoy, at a joint press conference with Iraq’s Charge d’ Affaires Muayad S. Hussein, when asked if the US supported Iraq’s request to India for assistance in various fields, Mr Mulford said, “It is purely a matter between two sovereign governments now that elections have been held in Iraq.”

Mr Mulford also made it clear that in case the new government in Iraq were to ask for withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, it would comply by the decision. He described the January 30 elections in Iraq as a “major setback to the forces of terrorism”.

On his part, Mr Hussein said the US-led forces were required to be there in Iraq for some more time. ‘’I am confident that even the opponents of these forces are not demanding their immediate withdrawal. They want a time-table for the pullout of these forces, which cannot be decided at this point of time.’’

The Iraqi envoy described India as “one of the best and most mature democracies in the world” and sought New Delhi’s assistance in strengthening democratic institutions in the war-torn country as well as in its economic reconstruction.

“The new Iraq can grow as an important partner in various fields with India. Both nations have many common grounds — our age-old cultural relations and the common history,” Mr Hussein said.

Mr Hussein was at pains to emphasise that in the new Iraqi scenario, there were lots of opportunities for the Indian business community, which could re-establish its old position. India had been actively involved in constructing the Iraqi economy in the past several decades, he noted.

He said the Indians had a long experience in working in that region and Iraq could benefit from their expertise in various fields: construction, engineering, oil exploration and information technology. ‘’Today, every country should understand the importance of economy-driven politics”, he remarked.