Washington: Dismissing that there was any US pressure to send Indian troops to Iraq, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on June 11 said a final decision on the issue would be taken only after some clarifications on the exact role of the proposed peace force from an American team visiting New Delhi next week.

"I can only say government of America was keen that India anticipate in this process, that India send its troops, and the reasons are understandable, but I did not see pressure of any kind," Advani told reporters at the conclusion of his two-day talks with US leaders, including President George W Bush.

He pointed out that his current visit started with talks with US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the issue of Indian troops' participation in the stabilisation of Iraq was the principle issue almost with every American leader, said Advani adding he conveyed to them that the government of India is free to take a decision after hearing the team that is visiting New Delhi on June 16.

"We have several queries in this context," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

This matter, Advani said, has been considered twice in the Cabinet Committee on Security, and of course earlier when the request came from the American government.

"India", said Advani, "indicated that if it is to decide on this matter, the request has to come from the UN. Then there was a resolution adopted by the UN which was taken into consideration, but in the two meetings that were held, several questions were raised and several clarifications were sought."

PTI



No pressure by us on India to send troops to Iraq Washington: Dismissing that there was any US pressure to send Indian troops to Iraq, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on June 11, said a final decision on the issue would be taken only after some clarifications on the exact role of the proposed peace force from an American team visiting New Delhi next week. "I can only say government of America was keen that India anticipate in this process, that India send its troops, and the reasons are understandable, but I did not see pressure of any kind," Advani told reporters at the conclusion of his two-day talks with US leaders, including President George W Bush. He pointed out that his current visit started with talks with US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the issue of Indian troops' participation the stabilisation of Iraq was the principle issue almost with every American leader Advani said he conveyed to them that the government of India is free to take a decision after hearing the team that is visiting New Delhi on June 16. "We have several queries in this context," the Deputy Prime Minister said. This matter, Advani said, has been considered twice in the Cabinet Committee on Security, and of course earlier when the request came from the American government. "India," said Advani, "indicated that if it is to decide on this matter, the request has to come from the United Nations (UN). Then there was a resolution adopted by the UN which was taken into consideration, but in the two meetings that were held, several questions were raised and several clarifications were sought." PTI