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Indian Government

Discussion on and the Unanimous Resolution relating to the war in Iraq, Rajya Sabha, India's Upper House of Parliament, New Delhi, April 9, 2003


"…I genuinely believe if the possession of WMD, absence of democracy and export of terrorism are the criteria, then no country deserves more than Pakistan to be tackled in this world compared to any other country…Therefore, we differed with many powers on this particular issue".

-- Yashwant Sinha, External Affairs Minister, Rajya Sabha, Upper House of Parliament, New Delhi, April 9, 2003


Discussion on and the Unanimous Resolution relating to the war in Iraq, Lok Sabha, India's Lower House of Parliament, New Delhi, April 8, 2003


"… I suppose equally importantly we [India] are concerned at how this whole thing [war on Iraq] is going to effect future international behaviour and that is where the international community needs to put its heads together and think about the future… In this particular case, as in the past, the UN may not have been able to prevent a military conflict, but we would like the UN to have a major role in the post-war arrangements in Iraq... The dispensation which takes over in Iraq, the right of the people of Iraq to choose their own government and be the masters of their own natural resources, and quick reconstruction and repair of the war damage.''

-- Yashwant Sinha, External Affairs Minister, New Delhi, April 3, 2003


"War creates destruction but solves no problem,"

--Atal Behari Vajpayee, Prime Minister, India, March 28, 2003


"If no solution is found to the situation in Iraq, it will be a defeat for humanity and threat will increase in other parts of the world".

--Sonia Gandhi, President, Congress Party, March 27, 2003


"I have written to the heads of many countries including China, Russia, France and USA as we are very seriously concerned with this war which goes against the United Nations… I hope that the war between the U S A and Iraq would end soon".

--Atal Behari Vajpayee, Prime Minister, India, March 27, 2003


"One can have differences over the necessity of war but one cannot have differences about the urgent need to restore peace," "That, unfortunately, did not happen… Our long-standing friendship with … Iraq would demand nothing less of us: we would be happy to discharge our duty to share this burden… The right of the people to determine their political future and exercise control over their natural resources should be fully respected… We urge the Council to display the required unity and collective will to be able to assist the Iraqi people in this endeavour".

- Vijay K Nambiar, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, New York, March 26, 2003.


"We are concerned about our national interest. India has taken into consideration its own national interest while dealing with the Iraq situation,"

-- L K Advani, Deputy Prime Minister, Delhi, March 20, 2003.


"The American attack on Iraq has landed the very existence of the United Nations in dangerous situation and is against the basic principles of civilized world… Prime Minister and Defence Minister had already made the stand of India clear on the issue."

- I D Swami, Union Minister of State for Home, Jammu, March 20, 2003.


"It is with the deepest anguish that we have seen reports of the commencement of military action in Iraq."

-- Navtej Sarna, Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, Delhi, March 20, 2003.


"The stand we have taken per se makes it impossible for India to get involved in it in any way," he said."

-- George Fernandes, Union Defence Minister, Delhi, March 20, 2003.


"It’s a great tragedy. A sad day for mankind. All of us are concerned about what has been happening in the entire world… the Government of India has already expressed displeasure over the United States decision and urged United States and Britain to explore possible avenues to stop a war… We must register our protest against the war and a resolution can be approved to urge the Government of India to use good offices at both political and diplomatic level to end the war. Today it is Iraq but tomorrow, it can be turn of our country."

- Muzaffar Hussain Beig, Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Finance, Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu, March 20, 2003.


"Since production (domestic) is completely linked with the fuel prices as it increases transaction costs, it is already having an impact… We are aware that war does affect not only the economy within the country but also exports and we are trying to see how best the Government of India will offset the repercussions created by the war,"

-- Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Union Minister of State for Commerce, Delhi, March 20, 2003.


"My preliminary reaction will be that it (Iraq war) will not in any way adversely affect our exports… We would have to see what was the duration of the war in order to make a final assessment."

- Arun Jaitley, Union Commerce Minister, Delhi, March 20, 2003.


"We have large stocks of crude oil, petrol, diesel, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas, which will last us for at least two months,"

- Ram Naik, Union Petroleum Minister, Mumbai, March 20, 2003.


"We are deeply disappointed by the inability of the UN Security Council to act collectively, specially the failure of the Permanent Members to harmonise their positions on Iraq."

- Navtej Sarna, Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, Delhi, March 18, 2003.


"The Government of India would strongly urge that no military action be taken that does not have the collective concurrence of the international community. The international community must take a very careful look both at the objective of achieving Iraq's full compliance with UN resolutions and at the means adopted to reach this goal. This can be best achieved by a collective decision through the UN. If permitting more time and formulation of clearer criteria can facilitate a decision within the UN framework, we believe this option should be given a chance… No ultimatum should be given. No dates should be given. The dates can be extended… war is not an option. Nobody wants war. We have to find a peaceful solution."

- Atal Behari Vajpayee, Prime Minister, Delhi, March 12, 2003.


"We don't a war in Iraq and in case of such a situation, our efforts would be to protect the country's (India) interests."

- Atal Behari Vajpayee, Prime Minister, Delhi, March 11, 2003.


"The US role is such that it cannot be supported. We will take a decision in case of outbreak of a war… the standard being adopted regarding North Korea shows that there are double standards being followed. Buth this should not take place."

- Atal Behari Vajpayee, Prime Minister, 13th Summit of the Non Aligned Movement, Kuala Lumpur, February 25, 2003.


"Majority of the countries don't want war and those we talked to are also against it. We have to ensure that the United Nations doesn't become ineffective and lose its moral authority."

- Atal Behari Vajpayee, Prime Minister, Delhi, February 18, 2003.


"If there is war in Iraq… We can get supplies from other sources and we have enough stocks of crude oil and products."

- Ram Naik, Union Petroleum Minister, Delhi, February 6, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 
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