NEW DELHI, July 13: US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage arrived here on Tuesday to review the progress of the India-Pakistan dialogue and also to urge New Delhi to consider sending troops to Iraq, officials said.
They stressed that for the first part of the agenda, India's message on the dialogue process with Pakistan was already contained in the announcement of a calendar of official-level meetings between the two sides that significantly coincided with the arrival of Mr Armitage.
About the possibility of Indian troops for Iraq, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently, in a subtle way, left room for reconsideration of a binding parliamentary resolution that regards the situation in Baghdad as a byproduct of an illegal occupation.
Dr. Singh had told parliament earlier this month that he would take a fresh decision on Iraq only after consulting the various shades of political opinion in the Lok Sabha. That the Left Parties, supporting Dr Singh's coalition government, are opposed to any troops for Iraq, would continue to be a factor in any decision.
Even before Mr Armitage could embark on his tour to South Asia, the US administration gave a fair idea of what could be high on his agenda. That he would seek troops to replace American soldiers to back the new Iraqi government, was reiterated by Washington.
The United States feels that India should reassess its approach towards Iraq in view of the transition process, which has begun there under a UN mandate. It hopes that with the transitional government now assuming office in Baghdad, India and other countries should have a fresh look at the issue of sending troops to the war-ravaged country.
The first step however is to recognize the new government in Baghdad by organizing political visits between the two countries. Mr Armitage is being hosted by Indian National Security Advisor Jyotindra Nath Dixit.
On Wednesday he will call on Dr Singh, Foreign Minister Kunwar Natwar Singh and Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee. He is also expected to hold extensive talks with Foreign Secretary Shashank. Mr Dixit will host a lunch for him.
