New Delhi, Sept 08: External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha has spoken to his counterparts in Germany, France and Russia on the US draft resolution on Iraq and underlined the need to continue consultations with all interlocutors on this issue. Sinha's telephonic conversation took place late last week ahead of the week-long visit of US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca commencing from tomorrow.
Sinha's counterparts shared with him their views on the draft resolution, External Affairs Ministry spokesman told reporters. "We have underlined the need to continue consultations with all our interlocutors on this matter," he said.
He said they have expressed their desire to keep in touch on these matters and "keep us informed of any developments".
France and Germany have sought significant changes in the draft which seeks establishment of a multinational force under American control in Iraq. It is now being discussed by UN Security Council members.
Apart from the two countries, India, Turkey and Syria, the only Arab member of the 15-member council, demand much greater role for the UN than envisaged in the American proposal even as Britain, Spain and Mexico support the resolution.
India's official stand has been that it could consider sending troops to Iraq if there was an explicit UN mandate.
Bureau Report