India against regime change in Iran

Asian Tribune:

India has made it abundantly clear that it is opposed to any moves for regime change in Tehran but would welcome any 'mutually acceptable' solution to resolve the nuclear stand off with Iran. "For a compromise to be achieved, time must be given for diplomacy to work," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stated adding that New Delhi didn't favor confrontation or coercive measures. Such actions should be avoided at all costs since these would only heighten tension in the region and beyond. More over such actions aren't in the interest of India. READ MORE

"We remain hopeful that solutions acceptable to all sides will be found," Prime Minister told Indian lawmakers while replying to a debate on India's vote against Iran in the IAEA meetings last month.

He observed there can be no two opinions that Government should not take pre-determined positions or positions at the behest of other nations. "It is Government's duty to take a position on such matters after a dispassionate examination of facts, keeping in mind our national interests. Government has precisely done this".

Referring to the meeting of IAEA in Vienna and the discussions between Iran and Russia, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said "Government's approach will be based on our consistent policy of promoting efforts for a resolution of issues through dialogue and discussions," he said adding, "I think there is consensus in Parliament and in our country that confrontation is not in the interests of India or of our region".

Prime Minister pointed out that while there are no two opinions on Iran's legal right to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy, problem area is its failure to adhere to certain obligations and responsibilities, based on the Safeguards Agreement which it voluntarily undertook with the IAEA. Also an area of concern is import of centrifuges and designs to make uranium metallic hemispheres; Noting that several unanswered questions remained in this regard, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told the members, "The origin of such procurement is an issue of direct concern for us".

Excerpts from the address:

"There can be no two opinions that Government should not take predetermined positions, or positions at the behest of other nations. No one can dispute that it is Government's duty to take a position on such matters after a dispassionate examination of the facts, keeping in mind our national interests. I respectfully submit that in the present case, the Government has done precisely this. We have considered the facts and have exercised our independent judgment before taking a position. This is also the very essence of the policy of Non Alignment. Let me recapitulate the essential facts of the matter :

- Iran has the legal right to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy, but it also has certain obligations and responsibilities, based on the Safeguards Agreement which it voluntarily undertook with the IAEA.

- It was in recognition of the existence of several unanswered questions that Iran agreed to start the process of assisting IAEA with investigations into several past activities.

- An important part of this process was the voluntary suspension by Iran of all enrichment and reprocessing activity in November 2004.

- However, since last August, Iran has renewed production of Uranium Hexafluoride, and since then, of uranium enrichment.

- Unresolved question regarding centrifuge imports and designs to make uranium metallic hemispheres remain. The origin of such procurement is an issue of direct concern for us.

Under these circumstances, our position was based on these facts, which emerged from an objective investigation by the IAEA, and through information disclosed by Iran itself.

Mr. Speaker Sir,

The Resolution adopted by the IAEA Board of Governors last month mentions certain steps that Iran and the IAEA will be taking. Discussions are taking place in Vienna on this matter. The Government's approach will be based on our consistent policy of promoting efforts for a resolution of issues through dialogue and discussions. There have also been discussions between Iran and Russia in this regard. We remain hopeful that solutions acceptable to all sides will be found.

We do not favour confrontation, rhetoric or coercive measures as these only exacerbate tensions in the region and beyond. India has consistently stated that all sides must work to find mutually acceptable compromise solutions, and that confrontation should be avoided at all costs. For this to be possible, time must be given for diplomacy to work. I think there is consensus in Parliament and in our country that confrontation is not in the interests of India or of our region. Whenever the matter is taken up, we will work with all like-minded countries, including those from the NAM, for a mutually acceptable resolution of the issue.

Mr. Speaker Sir,

Government will continue to monitor the situation closely, and will deal with the Iran issue with the seriousness that it merits. In dealing with this issue, we will pay due attention to our relationship with Iran, the need to maintain peace and stability in the Gulf region and safeguarding our own security.