Thursday, November 24 2005 20:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Asserting that India was opposed to Iran nuclear issue being referred to UN Security Council, the Government has said it was hopeful of helping find a way to reconcile Tehran's need for using nuclear energy for development with the world community's concern over its proliferation.

Replying to a written question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs, Rao Inderjit Singh, said India was opposed to the matter being referred to the UN Security Council at this stage because New Delhi did not believe that this was justified in the circumstances.

He said India's support for the resolution, despite New Delhi's reservations, is based on the premise that the intervening period will be used by all concerned to expand the diplomatic space to satisfactorily address all outstanding issues.

India supported keeping the door open for dialogue and consensus and avoidance of confrontation, Singh said.

India was hopeful that in the coming days, New Delhi would be able to help find a way to reconcile Iran's need for nuclear energy for its development with the international community's concern over proliferation, he said.