New Delhi, September 10:

India has said the United States and Iran should resolve their row over Tehran’s controversial nuclear programme through peaceful dialogue rather than “open confrontation.” The statement late yesterday came after the United States said it had raised concerns with India about its reported opposition to referring Iran to the UN Security Council over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran did not comment directly on news reports that New Delhi was against referring Iran’s nuclear programme to the Security Council. But he told reporters: “India is against any proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and no country is an exception to that.” “We have also said clearly that Iran, as other countries, should adhere to commitments they have undertaken. Our preference is for these things to be resolved, not through confrontation, but peaceful dialogue,” he added.

Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh reportedly told Iranian President Mahmood Ahmadinejad earlier this week New Delhi opposed referring Tehran to the Security Council following US charges it was trying to build nuclear weapons under cover of a civilian energy programme. Iran has said it has no intention of freezing uranium conversion at its Isfahan plant.