India doesn't want sanctions against Myanmar: Govt

New Delhi: In perhaps the clearest statement yet on the on-going crisis in Myanmar, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said India is against imposing sanctions on the country.

Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, the Mukherjee said sanctions would further isolate the country and serve no useful purpose.

"I do not subscribe always that there should be penal sanctions. We should try to engage the country concerned in negotiations, in talk, in dialogue. Sanctions from the Security Council should be at the last resort,” he said.

He said it was important to stay engaged with Myanmar's generals. Mukherjee’s remarks appeared to take off from the Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor's observations on the deteriorating situation in that country.