MEA Official Spokesperson  response to questions regarding remarks attributed to US Ambassador in India

New Delhi
January 25, 2006

In response to questions regarding remarks attributed to US Ambassador in India the MEA Official Spokesperson said:

We have seen the remarks attributed to the US Ambassador in India concerning a possible vote on the Iran nuclear issue at the IAEA.

The position that India will take on this issue at the IAEA will be based on India’s own independent judgement. We categorically reject any attempt to link this to the proposed Indo-US agreement on civil nuclear energy cooperation, which stands on its own merits.

With regard to negotiations on the proposed agreement, India will proceed on the basis of its own national interests, as acknowledged by the US Ambassador himself.