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Singh rejects that force was behind New Delhi's vote in IAEA

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Feb 4, IRNA
Iran-India-Singh
Indian Ambassador to Tehran Manbir Singh on Saturday ruled out the idea that his country had been forced to give positive vote to the resolution of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors.

Singh told IRNA on Saturday that any imagination that India had been under pressure is wrong.

"We are for peace and stability in the region, willing to invite Iran and the negotiation parties to dialogue," said the Indian diplomat.

He said New Delhi's policy is based on preventing clashes and settlement of all the important problem through dialogue.

"Our vote should not at all be taken as being against tradition of Tehran-New Delhi good ties," said the ambassador.

Singh said, "Through efforts of us and other friendly states in the Board of Governors, Iran's right for peaceful use of nuclear energy was confirmed."
Singh stressed continued talks between Iran and the IAEA and Europe, saying ratification of the resolution will provide Iran with a suitable date and venue to consider Russian proposal.

"We call on Iran to give a positive response to the IAEA call and continue confidence-building and voluntary cooperation with the Agency," said the Indian envoy.

Asked to comment on the impact of Indian vote at the IAEA Board on the project for transfer of Iran's gas to India, Singh said the gas line is of high importance for India and in interest of the Iranian, Pakistani and Indian people.

India needs considerable amount of energy to attain a nine percent growth, said the diplomat.

He also dismissed the claim that Indian oil minister, who had been among supporters of Iran-India gas line project, had been forced to resign.

Asked whether India had by its vote chosen one of the
alternatives: access to the US nuclear technology or receipt of gas from Iran, Singh said, "That's not true, we need to both gas pipeline and nuclear technology."
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