NEW DELHI, April 26 (UPI) -- Two days ahead of the International Atomic Energy Agency meeting, India said it opposed the use of force against Iran.
"Confrontation or the threat or use of force can only exacerbate tension in the region which is of vital importance to India and must therefore be avoided at all costs," the External Affairs Ministry said.
The Hindu newspaper said Wednesday that India, which twice voted against Iran, including referring the Islamic republic to the U.N. Security Council, re-emphasized its historic ties with Teheran.
"We have repeatedly declared that issues relating to Iran's nuclear program should be resolved through dialogue," the ministry said. "Iran has the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purpose, but this must be consistent with its international commitments and obligations."
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said Iran had a clandestine nuclear program for several years and it was not in India's interest to have another nuclear weapons state in the neighborhood.
The U.N. Security Council on March 29 noted with serious concern Iran's decision to resume enrichment-related activities, including research and development, and to suspend cooperation with the IAEA under the additional protocol.
Iran denies it's making nuclear weapons, but has refused to give up its right to enrichment, a key process in both civilian and weapons programs. Under its international obligations, Iran is allowed to enrich uranium.
The Islamic republic says it needs nuclear energy because it is more lucrative to sell its vast oil and gas reserves in the overseas markets.
