India has said it would be “very positive” to requests by Arab countries to usher in democracy and help build institutions that sustain it. However, the offer made by External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna was laced with circumspection.
“India does not believe in interfering in the affairs of another country. We will take the cue at an appropriate time depending on how they want India to help. India will be willing to be of some assistance to them. But let the situation arise,” he observed while interacting with newspersons on his way to Kuwait.
Changes hailed
India, he said, welcomed the changes being brought in by the people on the street, but Mr. Krishna was insistent that help would be given only if a specific country sought it.
“India's position is that it is closely monitoring the events and depending on how the situation develops, India will certainly try to position itself to be of advantage to forces of democracy so dear to India's heart.”
The Minister said the government had readied naval ships to sail for Libya should the need arise. In case evacuation of all the 18,000 Indians is required, “we will have to use the warships.” He described the situation in Libya as “obviously bad.”
“No delay”
Mr. Krishna did not share the perception that India had delayed its evacuation response considering that over a dozen countries had already done so. “I don't think so. We have to get permission from the Libyan authorities.”
