India Opposes Any Unilateral Military Actions Against Syria

New Delhi, Sept 7, IRNA -- India has opposed any unilateral military action against Syria without UN authorisation, amid growing pressure on US President Barack Obama not to attack the country. Moreover, India was also not in favor of armed action aimed at any regime change as this would be violation of international law. The Syrian issue dominated a long dinner meeting of G20 leaders including Obama last night hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the end of the first days deliberations during which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made an intervention. Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia said that it was also the prime ministers view that the world community should wait for the report of the UN inspectors on the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria. The prime minister also told his fellow G20 leaders that India condemns the use of chemical weapons whether in Syria or anywhere in the world, Ahluwalia, who was present at the dinner meeting, told reporters at St Peterspurg in Russia, the PTI reported. Singh also told the leaders that one needs to be certain what has happened in Syria even if there is some probability of use of chemical weapons. Syrian opposition and the West have accused President Bashar Al-Assads forces of using chemical weapons on August 21 in a Damascus suburb, a charge denied by the government. Ahluwalia said the indication given by the prime minister was that one should wait for the report of the UN team of inspectors. The prime minister made it clear that whatever action is required in Syria should be under the auspices of the UN and not outside its framework. According to Ahluwalia, who is the Sherpa for India at the summit, the prime minister also said that India was not in favor of armed action aimed at any regime change as this would be violation of international law. The meeting was also told that the UN Security Council should authorize the action if it is necessary. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon briefed the G20 leaders on the current efforts by the UN inspectors who are operating in difficult circumstances. Ahluwalia said the indications given by Ban was that the report by the UN team is expected to come out sooner or later. The US President is under pressure to decide against launching military strikes in Syria, which many G20 leaders fear would hurt the global economy and push up oil prices. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Russian presidency said a US strike on Syria would drive another nail into the coffin of international law. With the US looking increasingly isolated over Syria, Putin has made no secret of his opposition to US military intervention. Putin this week said any military strikes without UN approval would be an aggression. From what world leaders have said over the last 24 hours, he will assume Moscow's message has been getting through. From China to the EU to the Vatican, the message is clear: there can be no military solution to the Syrian crisis. China and Russia, which have refused to agree to a Security Council resolution against Syria, insist any action without the UN would be illegal./end