Avoid confrontation on Iran nuclear issue: India

New Delhi, Apr 29 : Amid growing tension between Iran and the IAEA on the nuclear issue, India today stressed the need for flexibiity on all sides and asserted that confrontation should be avoided at all costs and a solution found through dialogue to the standoff.

''We continue to believe that a solution ought to be found through dialogue and confrontation should be avoided at all costs,'' a spokesman of the External Affairs Minstry said.

The spokesman said India would continue to contribute towards exploration of all diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue in a manner that respects Iran's right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy consistent with its international obligations and commitments.

The remarks come close on the heels of the telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Iranian President Ahmadinejad last night.

''The leaders essentially discussed bilateral issues, including cooperation in the field of energy. The Prime Minister conveyed the good wishes of the Government and the people of India to the President and the people of Iran,'' the External Affairs Ministry said last night.

It, however, did not say whether the nuclear issue also figured during the conversation.

Responding to a question on the report submitted by IAEA Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei yesterday on the Iran nuclear programme, the External Affairs Miistry spokesman said, ''We have seen the report submitted by Director-General, IAEA on 28 April on the Iran nuclear programme. The Director General had also visited Iran on April 13 with the aim of enhancing Iran's cooperation with the IAEA on all outstanding issues.'' The Report elaborates the developments since the last Board meeting in March in a factual and objective manner and provides a useful basis on which diplomatic efforts should continue to avoid confrontation and promote an amicable solution, the spokesman added.

In Tehran, President Ahmadinejad described Iran's decision to pursue its nuclear programmes as irreversible.

''The decision by Iran to pursue nuclear technology and produce nuclear fuel in line with all international commitments is legal and irreversible,'' Mr Ahmadinejad said on state television in a first reaction to the report by Mohamed ElBaradei.

''We will not accept any discrimination, this (uranium enrichment) is our Red Line which we will not allow to be trespassed by anybody,'' he added.

UNI