Menon denies reports of India-Iran defence cooperation

Washington, May 4 (UNI) Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon, who was here meeting Bush administration officials, has refuted media reports that New Delhi was building a closer military relationship with Iran.

''I was quite amazed to see all those stories, quite frankly. I am not sure what they are based on, stories of military cooperation and so on,'' the Washington Post quoted him as saying.

His remarks sought to dampen growing congressional concern over India's relations with the Islamic republic. Several Congressmen and senators had sent a letter expressing their concerns in this regard to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

A reporter from the paper asked Mr Menon for a clarification after eight senators, led by Jon Kyl (R-Arizona) and Barber Boxer (D-Calif.), recently sent a letter to Dr Singh calling on India to ''cease all military cooperation with Iran immediately.'' The letter noted news reports that the two nations have created a ''joint defence working group.'' Mr Menon, who completed two days of talks with US officials, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also reported great strides in resolving disputes that have held up the implementation of a landmark 2006 nuclear accord between US and India.

The weekly Defense News, quoting officials in both countries, reported in March that the commander of Iran's Navy visited India and that the new group would study whether India should train Iranian military personnel, according to the Post.

He said India and Iran established a joint working group on defence in 2003 but ''it has not met for many years.'' UNI