New Delhi: The Bush administration "hopes and anticipates" Indian participation in
the activities relating to reconstruction and rehabilitation in post-Saddam Iraq,
according to a delegation of US Congressmen.
"We hope that India would play its role in the relief and rehabilitation activities
in Iraq," Congressman Joseph Crowley, who met Union Commerce and Industry Minister
Arun Jaitley along with three other Congressmen, said.
He said the US government too "hopes and anticipates" participation of Indian
government in the reconstruction and rehabilitation activities.
Crowley, who alongwith Shiela Jackson-Lee, Chris Bell, Kendrick B Meek and US
Ambassador to India Robert D Blackwill met Jaitley, said India should play its role
in the resurrection of Iraqi economy.
India has expressed its willingness to play its part in the humanitarian and
reconstruction efforts and already pledged $ 20 million for this
purpose.
Unlike some countries who outrightly denounced the American military strikes in Iraq
bypassing the UN, India had given out a milder statement opposing US operations in
the desert country.
PTI
