India against chemical weapons in any circumstances, says foreign ministry on Syria
US and its western allies are discussing possible military action to rid Syria of dictator Bashar-al Assad for a suspected poison gas attack on a rebel-held town that long had held out against government forces
An official spokesperson of Indian Foreign ministry said on Saturday that India forbids the use of chemical weapons on anyone, by anybody under any circumstances.
Raveesh Kumar, while addressing a conference in New Delhi made the remarks referring to reports of an alleged chemical poison gas attack on April 07 (Saturday) on the suburb of Douma in Syria which killed around 70. According to a report from World Health Organization, the victims showed symptoms, of being exposed to highly toxic chemicals, like redness in eyes, breathing problems, and white foam coming out of their mouths and nostrils.
A statement to this effect was made by India's Ambassador to The Netherlands and Permanent Representative of India to OPCW Venu Rajamony at the 58th Meeting of the Executive Council of the OPCW that was convened last week to discuss allegations regarding the use of chemical weapons in Douma, Syria.
He said any use of chemical weapons is in complete disregard of humanity and is reprehensible and contrary to the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention as well as accepted international norms.
He commended the OPCW for its prompt deployment of the Fact Finding Mission to Douma and expressed appreciation to the Director General and OPCW staff for their commitment to the aims and work of the organization often in challenging circumstances.
US and its western allies are discussing possible military action to rid Syria of dictator Bashar-al Assad for a suspected poison gas attack on a rebel-held town that long had held out against government forces. However, both Russia and Assad have denied any such attacks made by either of them.
When asked about the telephonic conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Putin amid the Mideast crisis, Kumar said that all matters of mutual interest were discussed on the phone call on Wednesday (April 11).
Meanwhile, India is also looking forward to arrest billionaire diamond trader, Nirav Modi, key accused of a $2 billion bank loan fraud. Kumar said that the accused has been located in Hong Kong and India is awaiting the response of its neighbour government over his arrest. India and Hong Kong had signed an agreement on the arrest of fugitive offenders in 1997.
(With inputs from Reuters)