Dubai: India has ruled out downgrading diplomatic ties with post-Saddam Hussein Iraq and said Indian companies have "good prospects" in taking part in reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.

"There is no question of downgrading diplomatic relations with Iraq and our traditionally good relations with that country will continue," R M Abhyankar, Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, said in Damascus, in the midst of his tour of three neighbouring countries of Iraq.

"We have considerable interests in Iraq, which have to be taken care of," he said.

Abhyankar said 50,000 tonnes of wheat, which is part of the humanitarian aid from India, would reach Iraq soon. "Shipment of wheat and medical supplies for Iraq will begin within four weeks," he added.

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India has announced a $ 20 million assistance to Iraq where it was working out joint ventures in hydrocarbon and railways sectors under the auspices of the joint commissions during Saddam regime.

Abhyankar, whose trip to Jordan, Syria and Turkey is aimed at assessing the post-war political and economic scenario in Iraq, said, "It remains to be seen whether such forums as joint commissions will be revived by a new Iraqi government.

He said Indian companies do have "good prospects" in the rebuilding of Iraq considering their vast experience in that country.

Abhyankar, who is also the chairman of the crisis management group on Iraq set up by the government, on April 23 met Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al Shara and held talks for more than an hour.

"Syria and other countries in the region have serious concerns regarding the developments in the region. It is a welcome development that the countries in the region have come together to consider the impact of the developments," Abhyankar said.

Earlier, he had been to Amman where he held discussions with Jordanian Minister of State Shaher Bak.

He would later travel to Ankara where he is scheduled to meet Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul before returning to India.

During the US-led coalition war against Iraq, the Indian Ambassador and other diplomats at the Indian Embassy in Baghdad had shifted to Amman temporarily. After the war, Pandey moved back to Baghdad and the Embassy resumed operations.

PTI