New York: India has said it would "swiftly" evacuate Indians from the Gulf in the event of a US-led war with Iraq if Baghdad failed to comply with the UN resolution asking it to disarm weapons of mass destruction.

India would definitely be affected if the US attacked Iraq as a lot of Indians work in the Middle East and send money to the country. So far as oil is concerned, the entire world would be affected and India is no exception, Minister of State for External Affairs Digvijay Singh told reporters on November 17.

Asked if, he did not see any need at present to evacuate Indians from the region, he said, "There is no war as yet. However, should such a need arise, the government would act swiftly and effectively."

In this connection, he said Air India has sufficient planes to undertake such a mission.

In reply to a question, Singh said India has been successfully able to focus world attention on Pakistan sponsoring terrorism. "The world was now much more aware of Pakistan supporting, financing and training terrorists."

On Maoist insurgency in Nepal, he said India has offered all help but did not agree with a questioner who saw in it an attempt by China to take over the country.

The Minister also assured non-resident Indians that the government would do its best to remove any difficulties when they visit the country and said procedures have already been streamlined.

The government, he said, is organising a conference of NRIs on January 9 and 10 in New Delhi, which would serve as a platform to voice their grievances and give suggestions.

PTI