London: India today (June 16, 2004) ruled out sending its troops to Iraq.

"A question of sending Indian troops to Iraq does not arise," External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh said.

Talking to newsmen after his 45-minutes-long meeting with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, Singh said, "The Government position on the issue is based on the national consensus and a resolution passed on the issue in Parliament."

"We welcome the adoption of the UN resolution restoring sovereignty to the Iraqi people. We will keep a close watch on the developments in Iraq and any review will be based on national consensus," he added.

Natwar Singh was on a transit visit to London on his way back from Geneva, where over the last two days he had meetings with Indian Heads of Missions in Europe.