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After weeks of dilemma, India Monday rejected a US request for sending troops to war-ravaged Iraq, making it clear that such a step could be considered if there was an "explicit" UN mandate.
The decision was taken at a meeting of India's Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee
"Were there to be explicit UN mandate for the purpose, the government of India could consider the deployment of our troops in Iraq," Indian External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha told reporters after the 90-minute meeting that was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani and Defence Minister George Fernandes.
New Delhi's decision was immediately conveyed to US Ambassador Robert Blackwill by National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra, who was also present at the meeting.
(Xinhua News Agency July 15, 2003)
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