14 July:India has voiced concern over reported US statements threatening use of force against Iran while External affairs spokesperson said a military strike on Iran would have disastrous consequences for the entire region.
This will affect the lives and livelihood of five million Indians resident in the Gulf and on the world economy .Sarna said India "calls upon all governments concerned to exercise restraint and choose the peaceful path of persuasion and negotiations.
Voicing serious concern over the reported move, India emphasised that there was no military solution to the controversy over Iran’s nuclear programme and asked all countries involved to exercise restraint.
"India is gravely concerned at these statements threatening use of military force against Iran," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said while commenting on reports that US President George W Bush has given Israel a go-ahead to begin preparations for an attack on Iran if talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme fail to yield results.
"India is against any such military attack, which constitutes unacceptable international behaviour," Sarna said.
Underlining that there was "no military solution to the issues that are being discussed" between Iran and the world community, he said India continues to "support negotiations and diplomacy, rather than the threat or use of force".
The US is said to have informed Jerusalem that Bush would back an Israeli plan to strike Iran’s main nuclear sites with long-range aerial weapons if diplomatic talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme broke down, a British newspaper reported on Sunday.Courtsey DD NEWS