Govt downplays Manohar Parrikar remarks on anti-ISIS operations under UN flag

New Delhi: India on Thursday downplayed remarks of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar that the country could undertake anti-ISIS operations under a UN flag if the global body adopts a resolution in this regard.

"It is not as if India has been part of every UN-led mission. We have participated in peacekeeping operation but then we pick and choose where we need to participate."

"It is a hypothetical situation. Right now there is no UN resolution authorising force against ISIS, if in the future a situation is created, we will take a call at that time,"
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, noting that India joins peacekeeping operations also based on whether there is a robust mandate for it or not.

Parrikar, who has returned after a crucial meeting with his US counterpart Ashton Carter in Washington, said, "We have made it clear that if there is a UN resolution and if there is UN flag and a UN mission, then as per India's policy to operate under UN flag, we will participate."

Parrikar's remarks were in departure from India's position as it has always maintained that it will not be able to overtly go against Islamic State terror group that has gained
control over large swaths of Syria and Iraq, where it still has its nationals as hostages.