The question of sending Indian troops to Iraq does not arise, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh said at a joint press conference with his British counterpart Jack Straw in London on Wednesday.

"The government's position on the issue is based on national consensus as reflected in a resolution passed in Parliament," he said.

Singh, however, welcomed the adoption of the UN resolution relating to restoration of sovereignty to Iraqi people.

"We will keep a close watch on developments in Iraq and any review will be based on national consensus," he said.

On resumption of talks with Pakistan, Singh said, "We are carrying forward the process. We have always been in favour of a dialogue with Pakistan with regard to cross-border terrorism."

"We are also in favour of a dialogue within the framework of the Simla Agreement, the Lahore Declaration and the 6th January declaration," said Singh, who arrived in London on Tuesday night on his way back from Geneva, where he addressed Indian heads of mission in Europe.

Stating that the atmosphere in both the countries was conducive for carrying forward the dialogue, Singh said he would meet his Pakistani counterpart in China in the next few days.

Asked if Congress president Sonia Gandhi planned to visit Pakistan, he said: "President Pervez Musharraf had spoken to her and in principle she has accepted the invitation to visit Pakistan. I can't say when she would visit."

Straw described his discussion with Singh as "wide-ranging, covering international and regional issues and the bilateral relation".