India PM says its Iran vote will hinge on resolution

NEW DELHI, Wednesday (AFP) India is reviewing its position ahead of this week's meeting of the UN's atomic watchdog on Iran's nuclear programme, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said.

Singh told left political parties that New Delhi's stance would be "influenced" by the resolution put to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting starting on Thursday.

"The Prime Minister explained to the leaders of the Left parties that the government of India will take its position in the interest of the country ... and its position will depend on the text of the resolution brought to the International Atomic Energy Agency," the prime minister's media adviser Sanjaya Baru was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India.

The prime minister said India would cast its ballot depending on the wording of the resolution if it was called to a vote. He reiterated comments on Sunday that India's decision would also be based on its national interest.

Earlier Tuesday, defence minister Pranab Mukherjee said New Delhi was reviewing its position on the vote, amid reports India would either abstain or vote against Tehran.

"We are reviewing the situation and we will articulate our stand at the appropriate time ... there are still some hours yet," Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters. The Hindu newspaper quoted unidentified senior Indian officials as saying India would cast its ballot against Tehran.

But another media report said India was planning to abstain after US ambassador to India David Mulford last week warned that New Delhi could lose out on a historic nuclear deal with the United States if it did not vote against Iran.

Washington agreed last July to share advanced civilian nuclear technology with New Delhi if it separated its military and civilian facilities. But the agreement has to be approved by the US Congress and the 44-member Nuclear Suppliers Group.

Singh said on Sunday India would not be pressured into taking a stand on Iran.