New Delhi: Adopting a cautious approach, India on June 16 sought clarifications from the US on the mandate of the stabilisation force in Iraq and indicated that government would evolve a political consensus and consult countries in that region before taking a decision on sending its troops.

A high-level Pentagon team on the directive of US President George W Bush held talks with National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra and other top officials and urged New Delhi to consider contributing its troops to the stabilisation force.

Government wanted to know details of the nature of force required for stability operations, their role, mandate and the relationship with the UN, an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said after the talks between the two sides on the issue of deployment.

New Delhi also sought clarifications on development of a responsible Iraqi interim administration, future political evolution in that country and the humanitarian relief and reconstruction activities, the spokesperson said.

The US team led by Assistant Secretary of Defence for International Security Affairs, Peter Rodman held two rounds of discussions with the Indian delegation headed by B S Prakash, Joint Secretary (UN- Political) in the External Affairs Ministry.

The decision to send the American team was conveyed by Bush to Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani during an unscheduled meeting in Washington last week.

PTI