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Congress MP advises India against sending troops to Iraq
Washington, June 17: Keeping in mind the sensitivities of the Indian public with regard to the US-led war in Iraq - which was reflected in the parliamentary resolution against the invasion - India would be ill-advised to send troops to Iraq, Ashwani Kumar, Congress MP and senior advocate of the Supreme Court, said here.
Washington, June 17: Keeping in mind the
sensitivities of the Indian public with regard to the US-led
war in Iraq - which was reflected in the parliamentary
resolution against the invasion - India would be ill-advised
to send troops to Iraq, Ashwani Kumar, Congress MP and
senior advocate of the Supreme Court, said here.
Kumar, who is here for a month as a visiting fellow at
the Centre for strategic and international studies, said, "My
personal view is that India should not send troops to Iraq.
That is my deeply held conviction."
Speaking at a press conference at the Indian embassy, he pointed out that India has a long history of responding to UN requests for troops in such cases, but only under UN auspices.
"India has also deep relations with Iraq and the war against Iraq is a sensitive issue for the people of India, not merely to Muslim citizens of India but all citizens," he said.
He also pointed out that the Indian parliament passed a resolution against the US intervention in Iraq.
It is worth mentioning that the Congress President, Sonia Gandhi, has said there were issues of concern regarding the US' request that needed to be resolved.
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has said he would take a decision regarding the issue only on the basis of a political consensus.
Kumar was confident that the issue of Iraq will not affect US-Indian overall relationship. "India and the US are united against terrorism. Both are also keen to expand their economic relations," he said.
Bureau Report
Speaking at a press conference at the Indian embassy, he pointed out that India has a long history of responding to UN requests for troops in such cases, but only under UN auspices.
"India has also deep relations with Iraq and the war against Iraq is a sensitive issue for the people of India, not merely to Muslim citizens of India but all citizens," he said.
He also pointed out that the Indian parliament passed a resolution against the US intervention in Iraq.
It is worth mentioning that the Congress President, Sonia Gandhi, has said there were issues of concern regarding the US' request that needed to be resolved.
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has said he would take a decision regarding the issue only on the basis of a political consensus.
Kumar was confident that the issue of Iraq will not affect US-Indian overall relationship. "India and the US are united against terrorism. Both are also keen to expand their economic relations," he said.
Bureau Report