Delhi ducks, says Iran has to adhere to global norms

When Democrat Tom Lantos, speaking at the hearing of the House International Relations Committee yesterday, objected to what he said was Ind...

When Democrat Tom Lantos, speaking at the hearing of the House International Relations Committee yesterday, objected to what he said was Indian opposition to a key element of US policy toward Iran, he wasn’t referring to Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran but External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh.

Lantos was quoting Singh’s remarks reported by the Iranian News Agency IRNA on September 4 after his meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Singh was quoted as having said: ‘‘India’s relations with Iran is not predicated on positions and views attributed to some governments.’’

While Lantos used the quote to drive home the point that India should be more supportive of US policies in countries like Iran, New Delhi today completely denied that neither the External Affairs Minister nor the Foreign Secretary had made any such comment.

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Saran, in fact, did not accompany the External Affairs Minister on his visit to Iran earlier this month.

‘‘I don’t think that statement was ever made. Various statements are attributed to me or to the EAM. I have not made any such statement and in this case, I don’t think even the External Affairs Minister has made such a statement,’’ said Saran while briefing the media on the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister to New York.

Spelling out the Indian position on Iran’s nuclear programme, Saran said: ‘‘We are against proliferation of nuclear weapons. Iran, as any other country, should adhere to obligations they have undertaken. Any difference should be resolved through discussions and not confrontation.’’

Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns, who testified before the committee, was quoted as having said that the Bush Administration was seeking a clarification from the Indian government on the comment. But New Delhi has so far not received any such request from Washington.

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