New Delhi: Asserting that it will "not let down" Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, India on November 28 declared in the Rajya Sabha that any US-sponsored unilateral military action could spell disaster extending beyond the Gulf region, while asking Baghdad to fully comply with UN inspection of weapons of mass destruction.

"President Saddam Hussein has been a friend of India. He should not feel let down when he is under pressure. We are keeping a close watch on the situation," External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said replying to short-duration discussion on the grave situation in West Asia threatening world peace and security.

Spelling out New Delhi's stand, Sinha said any action against Iraq should be under auspices of the United Nations and the issue should be resolved through peaceful means without resorting to use of military force.

If the UN Inspectors found no weapons of mass destruction, then the sanctions imposed against Iraq since 1990 should be lifted, he said.

At this juncture, the minister said, "Let us not allow emotions to overtake our stand and responsibility and let national interest and idealism, which have been the two pillars of our foreign policy, give expression to our position."

Observing that New Delhi had "high stakes" in that region, he said India imported most of its crude oil from the Gulf and had a 3.5 million Indian diaspora there.

PTI