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US offers India $2.5b on Iraq

NEW DELHI: Soliciting India’s support for an attack on Iraq, the United States has offered to dish out $2.5 billion which Baghdad currently owes the Indian government. India has also been offered a major chunk of the reconstruction-of-Iraq pie after war, taking into account the fact that India Railways and construction companies had worked in Iraq earlier, said a news report carried by a national daily, “The Asian Age,” here on Saturday.

Oil, of course, remains a major lure with Washington, making it clear to all countries in the world that the proceeds of war would be shared with those who take a clear stand supporting the US today, added the report. India has been assured its oil supply from Iraq will be protected although no one is willing to guarantee the barrels will be sold at the earlier throwaway prices.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee modified his categorical stance against a war on Iraq when he did not rule out the possibility of allowing US planes to refuel in India if situation so arises, the report said.

According to agency reports, Mr Vajpayee was asked if his government would allow US planes to refuel, as had been done by the Chandrashekhar government during the last Gulf war. The situation will not arise, but if it did the government would consider it and take a decision at that point of time, he said according to the report.

India has been one of the main purchasers of Iraqi oil and has received a direct assurance from Washington that its interests in Iraq will not suffer because of a war, added the report.

Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal, during a recent visit to Washington, was told by US State Department officials that interests of both the US and India could converge after the war and the removal of President Hussein. —APP

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