US still keen on deployment of Indian troops in Iraq, says Indian foreign

[Judi Lynn]

US still keen on deployment of Indian troops in Iraq, says Indian foreign minister
(AP)

23 July 2003



NEW DELHI - The United States still wants India to send troops to Iraq, India’s foreign minister said on Wednesday, a week after New Delhi said it could only consider doing so under a UN mandate.

Last week, New Delhi rejected Washington’s request to send troops to help stabilize Iraq, after Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee failed to achieve a political consensus on the issue. But news reports say officials from both sides continue to explore a politically acceptable way for India to deploy forces.

Newspapers have quoted Indian officials as saying they expect the issue to be top of the agenda during discussions next Monday and Tuesday with Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.

External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell telephoned him on Monday, wanting to know if India would be prepared to send troops under a mandate from the United Nations. (snip/...)

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[TahitiNut]

1. Indian Troops in Training as Applications Programmers

... and Customer Support representatives for global software corporations. Can we blame them for not wanting to go to Iraq? :silly: