UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 474
TO BE ANSWERED ON 24-07-2003
DR. AKHILESH DAS:
SHRI KALRAJ MISHRA:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether during Deputy Prime Minister's visit to USA, it was decided that in view of the priority attached to the India's own defence needs, a U.S. team would be sent to India to discuss the desirability and feasibility of sending a peace keeping force by
India to Iraq;
(b) if so, whether such U.S. team has since visited India; and
(c) the outcome of their visit, if any?
ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI VINOD KHANNA)
(a) During the Deputy Prime Minister's visit to USA., the U.S. officials reiterated their desire to send a team to India to offer clarifications on issues pertaining to the U.S. request to India to consider deployment of Indian troops in Iraq.
(b) Yes. A U.S. delegation has since visited India and held discussions on 16th June 2003.
(c) The government held intensive consultations with the U.S. delegation in order to have a better appreciation of the situation. The U.S. delegation gave a briefing on the political, economic and security situation in Iraq and outlined the political and operational
context of a possible deployment of troops by India in Iraq.