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Not joining U.S.-led coalition: Fernandes

New Delhi Feb. 2. India has ruled out joining any U.S.-led coalition strike against Iraq and said that the U.S. would not need facilities in this country if it opts for war.

"Since we have taken the position that war in the Gulf should be averted, India cannot be part of any action against Iraq," the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, said. He said India had already opposed any unilateral action against Baghdad and declared that if any action had to be taken it should be under the aegis of the United Nations.

To a question about the U.S. seeking Indian facilities like during the 1991 Gulf war, Mr. Fernandes said: "I don't think they (the U.S.) need any facilities." He said the U.S. had massed a huge armada and "they have all the troops and logistics support they need.'' Mr. Fernandes was speaking on the sidelines of a function to present awards for best Republic Day tableaux.

Asked about the Pakistan Foreign Minister, Mahmud Ahmad Kasuri's comment opposing holding of U.S.-India joint military exercises, he said the relations between New Delhi and Washington should not disturb anybody.

India's relations with the U.S. had more to do with economic growth and the country was primarily concerned with fighting terrorism through a global coalition.

On the long pending defence acquisitions, Mr. Fernandes reiterated that a major deal with France involving transfer of technology for manufacture of advanced Scorpene submarines had been put up for the consideration of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). Substantial progress had been made on the project and the CCS was likely to take it up for consideration any day.

Mr. Fernandes' remarks assume significance in the wake of the visit of French Prime Minister, Jean Pierre Raffarin tomorrow. Mr. Raffarin will be heading a 150-strong military-business delegation at the Aero India 2003 show in Bangalore. — PTI

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