¡¡¡¡NEW DELHI, March 20 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush discussed the evolving situation in Iraq with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee over telephone on Thursday evening, according to an official of the External Affairs Ministry.

¡¡¡¡The conversation came hours after Bush ordered military strikesagainst Iraq with President Saddam Hussein rejecting US ultimatum to leave his country or face a war.

¡¡¡¡The official said that during his talks with Bush, Vajpayee explained the Indian position on the developments in the Gulf.

¡¡¡¡In a calibrated response earlier on Thursday, the External Affairs Ministry said the military actions lacked justification, seriously impaired the authority of the United Nations system and asked the international community to pay special attention to the humanitarian situation in Iraq. Enditem