Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The US wants India to talk tough with Iran during President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad8217;s upcoming visit to New Delhi hoping it will ask Teheran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities in line with UN Security Councils demands.
Reacting to America putting pressure on India on Iran nuclear programme, senior CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said, 8216;it8217;s absolute interference in India8217;s internal affairs which is unacceptable8217;.
Washington would also encourage New Delhi to ask Iran to 8220;become a more responsible actor on the world stage8221; by ending its 8220;rather unhelpful activities8221; regarding Iraq and support for terrorism, State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey told reporters.
Casey however said it was up to India to decide how to 8220;manage8221; its bilateral ties with Iran.
The American official made these observations when he was asked if Washington has any concerns about the Indian invitation to Ahmadinejad to visit the country next week and if the Bush Administration had sent a message to New Delhi about the meetings.
8220;It8217;s up to every country to determine for itself how it8217;s going to organise its bilateral relations. Many countries, including some of our strong allies in Europe, have diplomatic relations with Iran. And it8217;s up to them to determine how best to manage them,8221; Casey said.
But, he added, 8220;We would hope that the Indian government, or any government that was engaging with the Iranians, including with President Ahmadinejad, would call on him to meet the requirements that the Security Council and the international community has placed on him in terms of suspending their uranium enrichment activities and complying with other requirements regarding their nuclear programme8221;.
