New York, Sept 29: India today said it will take a decision on the issue of sending its troops to Iraq provided there was a fresh UN Security Council resolution on a multinational force in the war ravaged country. "India would take a decision provided there is a fresh UN Security Council resolution for a mandate for a multinational force," External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha told a television channel today.

Sinha said that a Un stamp was essential for peacekeeping in Iraq, in an interview to the US TV channel. Secretary of State Colin Powell said today that the United States had finally given up hope of getting Indian soldiers to help coalition forces secure Iraq, but said he was optimistic countries would contribute troops after a UN resolution.

"The Indians, they have indicated they would not be in a position to provide troops. And I don't expect that position to change," Powell said in an interview on the television news channel. Bureau Report