Monday, November 7 2005 18:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh today (Nov 07, 2005) discussed with his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing the forthcoming IAEA meeting on the Iran nuclear issue and agreed to remain in touch and work for a consensus on the matter.

The telephonic conversation comes a day after Singh said he would favour revision of India's vote on Iran nuclear programme at the November 24 meeting of IAEA Board of Governors in Geneva if a resolution stronger than the one placed last time was put forward.

"If a resolution is placed at the IAEA which is more severe than the last one which says that this matter (Iran nuclear issue) must go to the UN Security Council, I can as Foreign Minister of India tell you that my recommendation to the Government will be to revise our vote," he had said.

He emphasised that during the voting at IAEA in Vienna, "we will take decisions considering what we think is in our vital national interest." India had gone along with the US and EU in voting against Iran at the last IAEA meeting in Vienna in September, triggering strong protests by UPA's Left allies. However, the government defended its stand saying it helped avoid referring the issue to UNSC.

Singh and Li reviewed bilateral relations, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said here.

The two leaders have also been in touch with Russian Foreign Minister and have a broad understanding that the matter should remain out of the Security Council and a consensus should be worked out in consultation with the EU-3 (Britain, France and Germany) and Iran, he said.