Delhi rules out troops to Iraq

[UpInArms]

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040707/asp/nation/story_3463210.asp

Now it’s in “black and white” — India will not send troops to Iraq even if there is a specific request from the US.

The unambiguous comment came from foreign minister K. Natwar Singh in the Lok Sabha today. Singh also termed the abuse of Iraqis by American soldiers at Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad as “abhorrent” and “heinous acts” which could not be condoned.

This is the first time India has made its position clear on either sending troops or on the treatment of Iraqi detainees at the hands of US military police who have been accused of sexually humiliating the prisoners.

Delhi’s stand on both these issues came three days after talks between Singh and his US counterpart Colin Powell on the sidelines of the Asean Regional Forum meeting in Jakarta on Saturday and a week before US deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage arrives.

<snip>

Today, Singh set at rest all doubts. “Even if asked, India will not send its troops. I am saying it in black and white,” he told the Lok Sabha this evening.

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[MasonJar]

1. Thanks to India.

[David__77]

2. Every nation should take this position.

I am proud that India will not be a beast of burden for the Anglo-American occupation. India has fully rejoined the third world, non-aligned family of nations.