Prefer not to comment on Wikileaks: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday said India would not ‘prefer’ to comment on the Wikileaks issue.

?We would prefer not to comment on the issue of Wikileaks which purportedly are an account of privileged internal US government assessments and correspondence,? said MEA?s official spokesperson.

?We have a multi-faceted and forward looking strategic partnership with the United States and there is a regular, open and candid dialogue between the two countries, on a number of matters of mutual interest,? the spokesperson added.

Earlier, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi has said America still remains committed to a long term strategic partnership with India as an exhaustive WikiLeaks expos? has raised questions on the country?s diplomatic sincerity.

Even though far less damning than the disclosed revelations concerning American diplomacy with other nations, the leaked cables from the whistleblowing website say that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had once practically ordered spying on Indian diplomats to the United Nations.

She also apparently referred to India as a ‘self-appointed frontrunner? for a permanent UN Security Council (UNSC) seat in the telegram sent on July 31 last year to 33 US embassies, reports said on Monday.

Defending the American stand on India, U.S. Ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer said that the U.S. continued viewing their relationship as one of the ?defining partnerships of the 21st century?.

India was also among the ?key allies? that had been warned about the upcoming cable-leak by the U.S. and was urged not to let the evidence harm diplomatic ties.

Roemer condemned the WikiLeaks expose and expressed his regret at the disclosure of confidential and sensitive information.

Defying Washnington?s disapproval, WikiLeaks on Sunday had released over 250,000 diplomatic cables from U.S. embassies across the world from the past three years uncloaking the backroom bargains of world leaders and insight into their fears as well as the concerns of USA.

The Ambassador reiterated the White House as he said, ?By releasing these documents, WikiLeaks puts at risk the cause of human rights, the lives and work of dedicated individuals, and threatens our ability to conduct essential private and diplomatic dialogue.?

?The United States Government is committed to maintaining the security of our diplomatic communications and is moving aggressively to hold accountable those responsible,? he said.

?The United States welcomes a greater global leadership role for India and values its perspectives on how to meet common challenges, including countering terrorism, securing our maritime, and working together to promote democratic, political and economic development around the world,? Roemer said.

In a statement, the American embassy said that Obama?s stay in India, the longest foreign trip of his Presidency to date, underscores the U.S. commitment to a long term strategic partnership with India.