US Ambassador to India Robert Blackwill today made it clear that a decision by the Indian Government not to contribute troops to a US-led stabilisation force in Iraq will not have an adverse impact on Indo-US relations. While emphasising that the decision solely rests with India, he added that whatever the outcome it will ‘‘not damage’’ ties between both countries.

Conversely, Blackwill also sought to disassociate Washington from formulations like Pakistan being the epicentre of terrorism as termed by Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani who is currently on his US tour. He made it clear the international war against terror cannot end till India remains a victim of terrorism.

In an interview to the TV channel NDTV 24X7 today, he said: ‘‘There is no pressure from the US on this score of sending Indian troops to Iraq. Even the Deputy Prime Minister did not feel any pressure nor did we exert any.’’

Blackwill asserted that Indian troops will not be deployed for combat purposes and instead would have a stabilising effect in a war-ravaged country. ‘‘We want Indian troops there as they are highly professional and very experienced. They the troops will not not be used for combat. A decision to send them will be positive and will enhance Indo-US relations. A decision not to do so will not damage the relationship which is very robust,’’ he said.

On the visit of a Pentagon team expected to arrive on Monday, the US Ambassador said they would clarify any doubts the Indian side might have on deploying troops in Iraq. ‘‘They are under no specific instructions and they are not coming here to suggest one way or the other.’’

Referring to PM Vajpayee’s latest peace initiatives to Pakistan, the US Ambassador’s remarks were laudatory as he observed that Washington was ‘‘filled with admiration’’ over his Vajpayee’s gestures. He stressed that the US had no timeframe in mind and it was up to both India and Pakistan to decide on how to take matters ahead in this direction.

In an endorsement of India’s approach to proceed cautiously, Blackwill recalled a particular round of talks between US and the erstwhile USSR which ended up a ‘‘disaster’’ precisely due to lack of ‘‘careful preparations’’.

While refusing to have any knowledge of what US President George W. Bush would discuss with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf at Camp David later this month, he said: ‘‘We are doing everything we can to end terrorism from Pakistan.’’