New Delhi, July 16: Britain "fully understands" India's decision not to send troops to Iraq and has no intention to be in the war-ravaged country as "permanent occupiers", British High Commissioner Sir Rob Young said tonight. "We fully understand India's decision", Sir Rob said in a question-answer session after delivering a lecture at the British Council on 'India and the UK : Reflections on a modern partnership', but declined to elaborate.
Dismissing as "exaggerated" the charge of unilateralism levelled against Britain for its action against Iraq, he said "we were acting under UN resolution" and there were 20 other countries helping the US and Britain in that country.
Sir Rob said a governing council had already been set up in Iraq. A constitution would now be readied paving the way for elections to put in place a democratically-elected government.
Once this was done, "We will withdraw. We are not there as permanent occupiers," he said.
Welcoming Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's peace initiative with Pakistan, he said the two sides shifting from well-entrenched positions would clear the way forward for normalising ties.
On the issue of tackling terrorism, he said India and Britain shared "close positions". Bureau Report