Manmohan Singh rules out troops to Iraq

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today ruled out India sending troops to war-torn Iraq saying there was no change in country's policy. In Hindi

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday ruled out India sending troops to war-torn Iraq saying there was no change in policy with regard to that country.

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His statement came when opposition BJP and Shiv Sena members charged External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh with changing his statements on the issue and misleading the House.

They referred to his reported remarks in Washington after meeting US Secretary of State Colin Powell about a government re-think on the issue.

The Prime Minister said all political parties were party to the unanimous resolution of Parliament on Iraq.

However, "in matters relating to India's foreign policy, it will be the effort of government to work on the basis of broadest possible national consensus."

He said if at any time, there was a need to change the policy "we will hold maximum possible discussion with various shades of opinion in Parliament".

Not satisfied with an earlier statement made by External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh, the BJP and Shiv Sena members walked out of the House after the Prime Minister's intervention.