Search the Internet          Tips

India objects to selective British reference to firm

While stating that Iraq has "military plans" for the use of chemical and biological weapons, even against its own population, and that it is capable of deploying some of its deadliest weapons in under an hour from the order, Britain had on Tuesday alleged that Baghdad had obtained some key ingredients from an Indian private company.

Maintaining that India had acted promptly and firmly by suspending the export licence of the company that had violated Indian laws, an external affairs ministry spokeswoman told reporters, "If Iraq has rebuilt its missile infrastructure after the Gulf war, it cannot be without a vast network of procurement essentially from industrial countries."

The spokeswoman said no details of actual procurement from specific countries had been given except the reference to an Indian firm against which India had already acted.

Presenting the 55-page dossier to the specially summoned House of Commons, Prime Minister Tony Blair had said that the chemical engineering firm with extensive links in Iraq had provided a key ingredient in the production of solid propellant rocket motors to a new plant at al-Mamoun.

EARLIER REPORTS:
Indian firms helped Iraqi missile programme: Blair
Link with Iraq propels Indian firm into notoriety
Iraqi envoy trashes British allegations

Tell us what you think of this report