India backs Russian proposal for destruction of Syria's chemical weapons

NEW DELHI: India today supported a Russian proposal for Syria to put its chemical weapons for destruction, saying any move towards Indian position regarding complete destruction of these weapons was a positive development.

"We have consistently advocated complete elimination and complete destruction of the chemical weapons. And pending their elimination, it was vitally important to ensure that all all chemical weapon stockpiles are safe and in secure custody.

"If there are any proposals which are moving in this direction, then obviously India will see it as positive developments," Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry said here.

He was asked about India's stand on Russian proposal asking the Syrian government to put its chemical weapons stockpiles under international control and then have them destroyed, a plan that could avert planned US military strikes in response to the Syrian government's suspected use of its arsenal.

The Spokesperson also asserted India had already disfavoured a military solution to the Syrian conflict and has backed the proposed 'International Conference on Syria' (Geneva-II) being the best prospect for a political solution.

He also said these were fast-moving developments and evolving situations.

US President Barack Obama and his aides are favouring military strikes at the Assad regime in response to a reported chemical attack the Obama administration says was carried out by the military, claiming that over 1,400 people were killed, including more than 400 children.

Samples have been collected by the United Nations chemical weapons inspection team in Syria and transferred to laboratories for confirmation of use of chemical weapons.