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Indian troops in Iraq will operate under own flag: US
June 14, 2003 03:55 IST
Indian troops if used in Iraq for 'stabilisation' operations will operate under their own flag and not be used for combat purposes, the United States Ambassador to India, Robert Blackwill, said on Friday.
Blackwill, however, added that If India declines the request for deployment of its troops in Iraq, it will not 'damage' bilateral ties.
"There is no pressure from the US on this score. Even Deputy Prime Minister (Lal Kishenchand) Advani (who is currently in the US) did not feel any pressures nor did we ever any," he said
"We want Indian troops as they are highly professional and experienced... A decision to send them will be positive and will enhance Indo-US relationship," he added.
On Monday, an US team will arrive in India to provide 'clarifications' on the nature of troop deployment and operations that will be entrusted to them in Iraq
Blackwill said terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir were not freedom fighters as they were murdering innocents.
"Terrorism emanating from Pakistan (against India) is not over. Global terrorism will not end until cross-border terrorism against India ends permanently," he said. "There should be an end to all killings... A terrorist is a terrorist is a terrorist."