New Delhi: India is awaiting clarifications on certain issues from the United States on the question of sending its troops to Iraq, Defence Minister George Fernandes said on June 30.

Stating that discussions had been held with Pentagon officials on the matter, he said New Delhi had sought "clarifications on certain issues" from Washington and "we are still awaiting their response".

He however did not elaborate what the issues were.

External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha had last week said India would take a decision on the matter after resolving all the "issues" and building a consensus.

"Foreign troops were being killed in Iraq earlier also… The number is increasing. But we have other more important considerations. We will take a view after taking them into consideration… We are looking at every issue," Sinha had said.

Major Opposition parties have asked the Centre to clearly declare that India would not be part of the US occupation in Iraq and said any other stand amounts to infringement of Parliamentary privilege.

PTI