New Delhi: India said on Thursday that it was engaged with the stakeholders over the issue of American sanctions on import of Iranian oil slated to come into effect from November 4. Among the stakeholders are the US, Iran and others.
According to the spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar, India already conveyed its position to the US over the issue.
Mr. Kumar also said that the issue of S-400 deal with Russia was also among the range of issues over which India was engaged with the US.
“We are engaged with the US on the matter. We have shared our position with the US sides at different levels. These discussions have contributed to a better understanding by the US about our objectives and concerns as well as our sensitivities and expectations,” he said.
India and Russia had on October 5 signed a whopping USD 5 billion S-400 air defence system deal without lending attention to the sanctions by US over military dealings with Moscow.
Talking over the US sanctions over the import of Iranian oil from November 4, Mr. Kumar said, “Our discussions are on with Iran and other stakeholders. It will not be proper to go into the details how we will deal with the situation.”
He also said that the issue was discussed here with ministries by the US Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook.
“We have conveyed to him that the price of crude oil is a matter of concern for our domestic economy and directly affects the common people,” he said at a press briefing.
According to Mr. Kumar, India has conveyed its expectations to the US side, while adding that India hailed the statement issued by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the intention of the US on Iran is not to hurt the Indian interests.
“We do intend to continue our engagement with the US and other stakeholders to ensure our energy security and to protect our national interests,” Mr. Kumar said.
He said that there was attempt being made to find a solution to the issue.
There have been some indications that implied India totally halting the import of Iranian crude oil.
According to Mr. Kumar, India was searching for every possible solution to ensure the energy needs of the country.
The US first withdrew itself from the Iran nuclear deal that was struck in 2015 before again introducing sanctions on the Persian country in May this year.
The US has asked many countries including India to bring the oil imports to “zero” level from the Gulf nation by November 4 this year or face the consequence of sanctions.
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