India rains on US parade, wants UN umbrella

‘‘Our longer-term national interest, our concern for the people of Iraq, our long-standing ties with Gulf region as a whole, as well as our growing dialogue and strengthened ties with the US have been key elements in this consideration,’’ External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said after the 90-minute meeting.

‘‘Were there to be an explicit UN mandate for the purpose, the government of India could consider the deployment of our troops in Iraq,’’ he said.

The decision was promptly conveyed to US Ambassador Robert Blackwill by National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra.

Ahead of the CCS meeting, the US on Sunday announced a governing council of Iraqi nationals which would be the administrative authority, one of the concerns raised by New Delhi. Washington had also indicated economic benefits to India with contracts in the oil sector.

However, the council failed to provide confidence to the CCS which declined to send peacekeeping troops even if the interim authority requested it.

The rejection follows a lack of political consensus, within and outside the ruling coalition. India had sought time from the US to establish political consensus, its prime worry in the election year.

The step, say Ministry of External Affairs officials, is not going to be taken lightly by the US which had voiced its worry that India may hide behind the UN excuse.

India has, however, reiterated its commitment to the Iraqi people in providing political support and humanitarian aid. ‘‘India remains ready to respond to the urgent needs of the Iraqi people for stability, security, political progress and economic reconstruction,’’ Sinha said.

New Delhi was ready to contribute to the restoration of infrastructure, medical, health, educational, communications and other civilian needs of the people and was planning to set up a hospital in Najaf with the help of Jordan, he added.