"Our concern has always been for the immediate end to war, early withdrawal of forces, the humanitarian needs of the people of Iraq and the question of maintaining the sovereignty of Iraq," external affairs ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said.

"These are the concerns at the moment in an extremely fluid situation."

Asked if the Iraqi embassy in New Delhi would be asked to shut down, Sarna said it was still "early days," but "standard international practises" would be followed.

He said New Delhi was in touch with the United Nations on humanitarian assistance to Iraq.

New Delhi has all along opposed the United States-led strikes on Iraq saying the war lacked justification.

SPACE.WIRE