Monday, January 31 2005 17:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: India should have good relations with the new democratically elected Government in Iraq and provide necessary help to the war-ravaged country, veteran diplomat Chinmoy Gharekhan, who is widely speculated to be India's Special Representative for West Asia, has said.

"Till now, the prevailing atmosphere in Iraq was such that India could not have done much. Since now the elections have taken place, Indian Government should have good relations with the new Iraqi Government and see what help it could provide," he said participating in a BBC Hindi programme last night (Jan 30, 2005).

The high turnout in the elections in the presence of international observers shows that the democratic credentials of the process cannot be doubted, the former Indian Ambassador to the UN said adding, "Problems are there, but Iraqi people have the courage to overcome them."

"India's relations with Iraq have been very close and friendly since the days of Saddam Hussein. Iraq's stand on the Kashmir issue has been better in comparison with other Arab countries. There is great love for India among the Iraqi people and the Indian Government is very conscious about taking the close and friendly relations with Iraq forward," he said.

Gharekhan, former UN Undersecretary, said, "Public perception in India is that the Government should have been vocal in its criticism of the war in Iraq. But let us put all that behind what happened, but should also remember that Indian Parliament came out in opposition to the war in very clear and strong words."