New Delhi: The United States may renew its request to India to contribute troops to Iraq closer to June 30 when an Iraqi interim administration will be in place and a new Government in office in Delhi after elections.

"We know you are in the middle of elections here. When we get closer to June 30, I would like to come back to talk to you. But this is informational only at this moment," US Ambassador David Mulford said while answering questions on US views on India sending troops to Iraq at a luncheon meet organised by the American Chambers of Commerce in New Delhi.

"The US has been indicating to Governments how it looks in the future in Iraq after June 30. Among the points that are discussed is the question of the UN coming in at that juncture," he said.

"There has to be some sort of security force that protects the United Nations and there are a number of countries we think, around the world, which in that context, would take part in something like that.

"So, we are advising countries of what our thinking is and I did that here in India. But I did not, contrary to what appeared in the press here, then ask India to provide troops. What I said was we would like to inform you about these developments," he said.

He said, "Now, if we didn't do that, then I think the Government might say why aren't we being informed like the other Governments are around the world about what the US intentions and plans are. So, that is what we regard is an important aspect of being major allies."