The Bush Administration has no comment on Natwar Singh being divested of external affairs ministry in the wake of a United Nations probe committee naming him beneficiary in Iraqi oil pay offs during Saddam Hussein's regime.
"I'd refer you to the Government of India for comment on that", State Department's Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli said.
Singh was on Monday relieved as External Affairs Minister and made minister without portfolio.
"We will continue to work closely and in partnership with the government on a broad agenda of bilateral issues and regional cooperation and we certainly look forward to continuing that," Ereli said.
On the ongoing Indo-US joint military exercises at Kalaikunda air base that witnessed protests by Left parties, he said, "I don't know anything about that. I'd refer you to the Department of Defence."
Asked about the Iran issue and Natwar Singh's statement on the IAEA resolution, Ereli said: "I hadn't seen the remarks you talked about and I think...the way forward on that issue is clear. The IAEA issued...a resolution on it. We all know what's needed and we'll work to accomplish that and meet again to review progress."
Natwar Singh had said that he would favour revision of India's vote on Iran nuclear programme at the upcoming meeting of IAEA if a resolution stronger than the one placed last time was put forward.
Complete Coverage: The Volcker Report
