No need to ask Indians to leave Iraq: Natwar

As efforts were on to secure the release of three Indians held hostage in Iraq, India on Thursday said it is not contemplating asking its citizens in the war-ravaged country to leave.

"No, we have not reached such a stage. Let us see how the situation evolves," External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh said when asked by reporters in Islamabad whether India would advise its nationals in Iraq to return.

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"Our relations with Iraq are good. I hope a situation does not arise where we have to think of other steps. I still hope that good sense will prevail and innocent persons will be released," he said.

There is no question of sending 'our troops to Iraq' but India would help in the reconstruction of Iraq and provide humanitarian assistance.

"After the UN Security Council passed its unanimous resolution, all countries want to help in whatever ways they can and not in military terms. We certainly have committed a fair amount of money in our own modest way," Singh said.