India's defence chief expressed "outrage and disgust" at the humiliation of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison as shown by photographs.

"Not only does it indicate a breakdown of ethical standards in the chain of command of the US army, but it indicates scant regard for international laws and basic humanitarian conduct," Fernandes said in a statement.

"We call upon the world community to insist upon the implementation of international laws governing the treatment of prisoners of war, beginning from Saddam Hussein right down to the ordinary man and woman on the streets of Iraq," he said.

Fernandes, the only socialist in the Hindu nationalist-led cabinet, was known for his criticisms of the United States before joining government.

Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani had last week declined to join the international condemnation over the treatment of Iraqi prisoners, calling the scandal an "internal affair" of the United States.

The main opposition Congress party, which is forecast to make gains in national elections that ended Monday, blasted Advani, saying that India should have clearly condemned the "barbaric" treatment of Iraqi detainees.

The Hindu nationalist government has put an emphasis on building ties with the United States, which in turn has been low-key in its reaction to alleged abuses in India, such as anti-Muslim riots that killed 2,000 people two years ago in the western state of Gujarat.

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