Thursday, December 1 2005 14:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government today (Dec 1, 2005) insisted that the issue of Iran's nuclear programme should be resolved within the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and favored enough time and cooperation to the global watchdog to complete its work.

"The consistent approach of the Government has been that this matter should be resolved in the IAEA, and to this end has maintained regular communication with all parties concerned," Minister of State for External Affairs Rao Inderjit Singh said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

He said the issue was discussed on November 24 at a meeting of IAEA Board of Governors, which reiterated its support for resumption of negotiations between Iran and EU-3.

Singh said India had voted in favor of a resolution on the issue since it took account of New Delhi's concern of not referring the matter to the UN Security Council and providing more time for negotiations.

"India's vote was in keeping with our consistent stance that more time should be given for resolution of the issue through negotiations within IAEA framework," he said.

The Minister said the Indian statement at the September IAEA meeting had noted that Iran had been more forthcoming in providing additional access to IAEA since that meeting.

"The present situation offered vital diplomatic spacewhich confirmed India's position that his matter should be resolved within the IAEA and that enough time and cooperation should be given to the IAEA to complete its work," he added.