India on Monday decided to send its Ambassador to Iraq B B Tyagi back to Baghdad, even as it bought more time to decide on sending its troops to the troubled nation.

Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal said the Cabinet Committee on Security reviewed the latest developments, including the UN Security Council resolution authorising the US-led alliance to rule Iraq until an elected government is installed.

Tyagi had left Baghdad a couple of days before the US-led war against Iraq started and was since operating from Jordan.

He was not sent back after the war because India did not want to recognise the American interim administration.

However, the UNSC resolution has come as an excuse for the Indian establishment, which is under pressure from America to join in its efforts in Iraq. The US has officially put in a request to India and Pakistan to join the stabilisation force in Iraq.

Sibal said the CCS asked the Ministry of External Affairs to initiate consultations with the United Nations, the US and other countries and institutions on the finer details of the UNSC resolution 1483 that has called on UN member states to come forward to help in Iraq's reconstruction.

Sibal said the Indian ambassador's return to Baghdad would help the government understand better the 'very fluid and unstable' situation in Iraq. There are several questions that need to be addressed before India commits itself fully in Iraq's reconstruction, he said.

India has been an active member of UN peacekeeping efforts around the world and has contributed over 50,000 troops to global peacekeeping. It has also lost about 100 soldiers in international peacekeeping efforts.