Seeking to clear the air on India's position on Iran's nuclear programme at a forthcoming meeting in Vienna, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Tuesday that intense consultations were underway with various countries to arrive at a consensus.
The board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency is to meet on November 24.
"Talks are on with a lot of countries to evolve a consensus," Dr Singh said at a press conference, when asked about India's stand and the controversial remarks made by K Natwar Singh a day before he was relieved of the External Affairs Ministry portfolio.
Dr Singh hoped that consensus would be reached whereby there won't be any need for voting on the issue.
Natwar Singh had created ripples by stating that he would favour revision of India's vote on Iran nuclear programme at
the IAEA meet if a resolution stronger than the one placed in September was put forward.
India had gone along with the United States and European Union in voting against Iran at the September meeting, triggering strong protests by the United Progressive Alliance's Left allies.
The government had contended that its decision helped avert the Iran issue being immediately referred to
the United Nations Security Council. It had also gained more time for diplomatic efforts to arrive at a consensus so that the issue was not sent to the Security Council.
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