Contending that Iran was a 'threat to the international community', an American relations expert on Wednesday said India should persuade the Persian country to give up its nuclear programme as it is in New Delhi's own interest.
"This is not a question of the US telling India what it has to say or do but it is in India's interest that Iran does not support terrorism. It is in India's interest that Iran does not continue its nuclear programme in a way that is threatening its neighbour," said Richard Haass, president of US private think tank Council on Foreign Relations.
His comments came when referred to India's strong assertion that it does not need 'any guidance' from the US on its dealings with Iran after Washington suggested that New Delhi should ask Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment programme.
"The entire international community needs to coordinate its response to the Iran problem because it is not a specific West Asian issue but a threat to international stability," Haas told reporters.
Contending that the entire international community, including India, has failed to 'manage the Iranian problem', Haass said, "It is important to make Iran understand that it is not just the US, but India and others also are completely against the country's support for terrorism".
"I would also like them to hear that the people understand that the Indian government doesn't want to see Iranians enrich uranium outside any international control," said the former Special Assistant to US President George Bush.
"There is no reason for Iran to have nuclear weapons," he said, adding, "More the Iranians understand that international community opposes the nuclear weapons and programmes, more likely the international community is to succeed in shaping Iran's policy".
The American expert said, "Iran is one of the great strategic gainers in the last three years, terribly influential in Iraq. They moved on to the path of nuclear development, they are supporting Hamas. I think people are kidding themselves if they think they are some how managing the Iranian problem. We are all failing to do that".
To a query, Haass said it was important not to try and isolate China over its handling of the Tibetan issue at a time when people wanted to attend the Beijing Olympics.
He expressed hope that over the time, China would allow Tibetans a greater autonomy.
An expert on American foreign policy, Haass has written ten books on the topic. He also served as special assistance to US president George Bush and senior director for Near East and South Asian Affairs on the US National Security Council.
