India is opposed to sanctions against Iran as it affected the common people the most, but supports the United States policy that Tehran should not have nuclear weapons, according to a United States diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks.
According to the cable, in May 2008, the then National Security Adviser, M.K. Narayanan, told a visiting delegation of American Senators Russ Feingold and Bob Casey that India and Iran have enjoyed civilisational links, India contains the second-largest Shia population in the world, and any event in Iran could impact India because of their close geographic proximity.
Meanwhile, in its effort to improve its ties with Pakistan, India played down the spurt in infiltration from the neighbouring country in 2008 — the year in which Pak-based terrorists carried out the Mumbai attack, according to a cable released by WikiLeaks.
Mr Narayanan said that India has down played increase in infiltration and has not lodged a protest before the new Pakistani government as part of its effort to improve relationship with its neighbour, the cable said.