New Delhi, Sep 02: The volatile situation in Iraq and Washington's proposal for a UN-mandated force in the war-ravaged country are among a host of issues expected to figure during parleys United States' Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca will have with Indian officials when she arrives here next week. The situation in South Asia and developments in the Middle East are also likely to come up during the parleys Rocca will have with officials of the External Affairs Ministry.

Rocca's trip will take place close on the heels of the landmark visit by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon from September 09. Official sources said Rocca's visit was planned in advance and nothing should be read into its timing.

India has stuck to its stand that if there was an "explicit" UN mandate, it could consider sending troops to Iraq. The fate of the US proposal still remains uncertain as a week-long US diplomacy failed to sway France, Russia and Germany, who want more say in the decision-making and political process in Iraq.

Diplomats of several nations are echoing United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan's words "more burden-sharing and more sharing of responsibilities."

Questions have also been raised about lucrative contracts at present being monopolised by the American companies. Other nations too want a part of the pie. Bureau Report