Iraq at crossroads, Delhi does an ostrich

"Washington, Oct. 9: In less than a week, Iraq will be at the crossroads of its destiny, but New Delhi has completely abdicated its regional, strategic and civilisational responsibilities towards Baghdad and will not even be an observer in the political process there.

For nearly a year, India has had no ambassador at its embassy in Baghdad, which was already being run on shoestring human resources and manpower.

It is not that diplomats are hard to find for being assigned to Baghdad: several Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers have volunteered for the assignment.

In the middle of this year, a diplomat with recent experience in the region was chosen as ambassador. But, according to sources in New Delhi, no one in South Block wants to take the responsibility for posting him to strife-torn Baghdad. Hence, amazingly, an announcement of his appointment has been hanging fire for months.

On October 15, Iraqis will vote in a historic referendum on a new constitution, which will determine the future of their country after its occupation in 2003 by the US and a few allies."
The Telegraph