New Delhi: Members in the Rajya Sabha on November 28 demanded India play a more pro- active diplomatic role to avert another looming conflict in the Gulf saying a war could have reverberations right up to the sub-continent in the shape of economic hardships.

Cautioning that in the event of the conflict, oil and gas supplies could be seriously disrupted, members cutting across party lines supported the Indian stand as spelled out recently by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee that sovereignty of nations should be respected and not violated.

Initiating a short-duration discussion on the grave situation in West Asia, senior Congress member Pranab Mukherjee said government's stand on the issue was balanced and should be maintained and articulated.

While saying that Iraq should fully comply with UN resolutions on dismantling its nuclear, biological and chemical arsenal, Mukherjee said at the same time there should be no outside intervention in Iraq and if it becomes necessary it should be under the UN mandate.

Prof R B S Varma (Bharatiya Janata Party) said though India had a limited role to play, its efforts should be directed to avert any conflict.

Lal Jan Basha (Telugu Desam Party) wanted the government to despatch Parliamentary delegations to the region to build up the peace process.

PTI