Wednesday, February 1 2006 11:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: With the Left parties breathing down the Government's neck on Iran's controversial nuclear programme, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday (JAN 31,2006) night said a decision on India's position at Thursday's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting would be taken on the basis of the draft resolution being prepared by the Permanent five members of the Security Council.

Singh conveyed the stand to leaders of crucial supporting allies Left parties in the midst of indications that India's stance would be 'influenced by the 'new development' wherein Russia and China have for the first time joined the US and UK to favour that Iran issue be referred to the Security Council.

"The Prime Minister explained to the leaders of the Left parties that the government of India will take its position in the interest of the country, to serve India's national interest and its position will depend on the text of the resolution brought to the IAEA," the Prime Minister's Media Adviser Sanjaya Baru told reporters after the hour-long meeting.

Singh apprised the Left leaders about the 'new development' that has taken place overnight with Russia and China 'for the first time' have come together with other permanent members of the Security Council and taken a joint stand on referring Tehran's controversial nuclear programme to the Security Council, Baru said.

He said the discussions with Communist Party of India (CPI) Marxist (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat and CPI National Secretary D Raja took place on India's response in the 'eventuality of a vote' at the IAEA two days later.

Left parties have been demanding that India should not oppose Iran at the IAEA.

The Government has been informed that the text of the resolution will be along the lines of the statement issued by the permanent five members of the UN Security Council and Germany in London, Baru said, "We are awaiting the text of the resolution. India's position will be articulated on the basis of that," he said.

Karat said the Left parties would also take into account the new development and formulate a view. "We will also study the new situation," he said.

Referring to the Joint Statement issued by the P-5 and Germany after their meeting in London, the PM's Media Adviser said it is a set of principles and on that basis the draft resolution will be formulated.

Sources in the Government said India's position on the Iran nuclear issue would be 'influenced' by the latest development wherein China and Russia have also changed their stance and favoured reference of the matter to the Security Council, although for action after a month.

At the last meeting in September, Russia and China had abstained from voting while India had gone against Tehran.

The change in stance by Russia and China is indicative of the growing international consensus for reference of the issue to the UNSC, the sources said, adding India would have to consider this aspect while taking a decision.

To a question, Karat said there was no discussion on the issue of US Ambassador David C Mulford, whose comments in an interview to sources have created a controversy.