The Hindu : National : India decries threat of force against Iran

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Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008
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India decries threat of force against Iran

Special Correspondent

New Delhi: In its strongest condemnation yet of proposals by the United States and Israel to bomb Iran, the Indian government on Monday said any military attack on Tehran would “constitute unacceptable international behaviour.”

Asked about the news reports in Britain and the United States about the Pentagon giving an “amber” light to Israel to prepare for an attack on Iran, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said India is “gravely concerned at these statements threatening the use of military force against Iran.”

Calling on all concerned to “exercise restraint,” the spokesperson reiterated India’s view that “there is no military solution to the issues that are being discussed between Iran and the international community.”

India continues to support “the peaceful path” of negotiations and diplomacy, rather than the threat or use of force, he added.

The MEA statement also noted that any military strike on Iran “would have disastrous consequences for the entire region, affecting the lives and livelihood of five million Indians resident in the Gulf, and the world economy.”

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