UK wants India to support new UN resolution on Syria

As part of its efforts to drum up support for the resolution that is likely to be tabled this week, Britain has dispatched one of its top diplomats to New Delhi to hold talks with officials here and explain why Western countries are tabling the document.

Irfan Siddiq, Head of the Arab Partnership Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, dismissed suggestions that the resolution was being imposed by Western countries and said "we are very much responding to the voice" of the region.

"The draft resolution threatens of sanctions against the Syrian Government. It talks of global sanctions against the regime. The US, the UK and France have prepared the draft document and it has been circulated now," he told reporters here.

Siddiq, who will be meeting officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and others regarding the issue, said India needs to "recognise" the change in the Middle East and that the country should play a "pro-active" role in the process.

"India should support the UN resolution. It will be in its long-term interest in the region...India has huge interest in the region and huge opportunities for solid cooperation," he said, talking about India's role.

He was also critical of Russia's opposition to the draft resolution saying it has been adopting a "black and white" agenda while the "change has come from the region and the people". (More)