26 April 2006
International
Other Stories
US must avoid use of force on Iran: India
- By Our Correspondent
New Delhi, April 25: In a statement issued in New Delhi on behalf of the ministry of external affairs spokesman, who is currently travelling with the Prime Minister's delegation to Germany and Uzbekistan, India on Tuesday said confrontation or the threat or use of force against Iran can only exacerbate tensions and must be avoided at all costs.
The International Atomic Energy Agency is slated to submit its report on Iran's compliance with its non-proliferation commitments to the UNSC on April 28.
The official spokesman, Mr Navtej Sarna, said the government had heard reports that there may be use of force or sanctions against Iran. Detailing India's position, he stated, "India values its civilisational ties and traditionally close and friendly relations with Iran. We have repeatedly declared that issues relating to Iran's nuclear programme should be resolved through dialogue."
"Iran," he said, "has the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purpose, but this must be consistent with its international commitments and obligations. India, along with other friendly countries, has continued to make efforts to reach an amicable resolution of outstanding issues through patient dialogue.
Confrontation or the threat or use of force can only exacerbate tensions in a region which is of vital importance to India."
The US, Britain and France allege that Iran wants to use enriched uranium for nuclear weapons, not just for peaceful purposes. Iran denies the charge but Washington has been pressing fellow members of the Security Council to impose tough economic sanctions against Iran.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - facing the Friday UN deadline to stop uranium enrichment - warned he was thinking about dropping out of the nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. Russia and China, which hold Security Council vetoes, have stonewalled the Americans, saying diplomacy had not run its course.