Responding to the United Nations' emergency appeal for immediate humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq, India on Friday announced an assistance of $20 million in cash and kind, including 50,000 tonnes of wheat to the World Food Programme.

"The modalities are being worked out with the UN and its agencies," external affairs ministry spokesman told reporters.

Asked how this assistance would be made available in view of the ongoing military action in Iraq, he said while the wheat would go to the WFP to be passed on to the people of Iraq, other modalities would be firmed up by the Indian mission in New York with the UN and other agencies.

He said India has been committed to extend humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people and added that several countries had responded to the appeal by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

On reports that a ship carrying wheat sent by India had been turned back, he said the ship had docked before the hostilities broke out and part of the cargo had been unloaded when the port authorities had asked it to leave.