New Delhi
January 27, 2006

In response to a question on the Iran nuclear issue the MEA Official Spokesperson said: 

“During the past two weeks, India has been undertaking active consultations with all key members of the IAEA Board of Governors and with Iran, in order to avoid confrontation and to promote the widest possible consensus on handling the Iran nuclear issue. In all these consultations, India has urged:- 

i) that all concerned countries should avoid confrontation and work in the spirit of seeking a mutually acceptable solution; 

ii) that Iran’s right to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy for its development consistent with its international obligations and commitments should be respected; 

iii) Iran’s willingness to work together with the IAEA to remove any outstanding issues, about its nuclear programme should be welcomed. In this regard, the Agency should be allowed to proceed according to its work programme and submit a detailed report. 

India welcomes all initiatives, including from Russia, which could enable a consensus to be reached on this issue and urges further intensive efforts in that direction.”