St. Petersburg: In an implied rejection of US position on Syria, India says action on the West Asian country must not only be taken after conclusive proof from neutral inspectors on the use of chemicals weapons by the Bashar al-Assad regime, but should be under the auspices of the UN.
At a dinner late Wednesday hosted for G20 leaders by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his speech also said action against Syrian if approved at the UN should also not be aimed at a regime change, but to neutralise chemical weapons.
The remarks came after a detailed presentation to the forum by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the situation on the ground in the war-torn country. He said the report of inspectors appointed by him to scientifically look into the use of such weapons by Syria was expected soon and that it will be presented before the Security Council and the General Assembly for the action required.
The UN chief also said more than 100,000 people have died in the West Asian country, some 4.25 million have been displaced within and at least another two million are now refugees.
Briefing journalists on New Delhi’s position on Syria, as articulated by the prime minister at the G20 dinner, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said India was totally opposed to the use of chemicals weapons and any stock pile must be destroyed.
But he equally made it clear that it was not in favour of unilateral action, something the US has been threatening, against the views of Russia and China. (IANS)