Swaraj meets her Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif, discusses US sanctions
What's the story
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held talks with her Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif and discussed bilateral issues, including the US's sanctions against the major crude exporter that are set to be implemented in November.
During the meeting held on the sidelines of the 73rd UN General Assembly session yesterday, the two sides also discussed the status of Iran nuclear deal with the European Union.
Discussion
India remains engaged with countries part of US sanctions
"On the issue of sanctions, India remains engaged with all stakeholders who are part of the process and Iran is one of them. So, it's natural that the issue of sanctions did come up during the meeting," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in New York.
The two sides shared each others' position about where they stand at this point of time, he added.
Indo-Iran ties
Zarif shared Iran's discussion with EU on nuclear deal
"There are developments taking place in different corners of the world," Kumar said, adding Zarif shared part of discussion Iran is having with European Union on the nuclear deal.
Kumar referred to recently concluded 2+2 dialogue between India and the US during which Washington was sensitized about New Delhi's concerns and expectations.
Kumar said India is working to ensure its energy and national security.
Trump decides
In May, US declared withdrawal from Iranian nuclear deal
In May, US President Donald Trump announced the US was withdrawing from Iran nuclear deal signed by Obama administration in 2015, under which Tehran had agreed to limit its sensitive nuclear activities and allow international inspectors in return for the lifting of crippling economic sanctions.
The US has told India to cut oil imports from Iran to "zero" by November 4 or face sanctions.
Diplomacy
India hopes US would consider other countries' positions on sanctions
Kumar said before the sanctions come into effect, India has been talking to several partners and countries on the issue.
"We hope that our positions, sensitivities, concerns, which we have explained to the US, must have been taken into account by them. It's not only a question of purchasing oil from Iran but it's also a question of relationship," Kumar said.
Information
Iran is India's third largest oil supplier
Kumar described the talks with Iran as a "good meeting," saying the two countries share strong civilization bonds. Iran is India's third-largest oil supplier after Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Iran supplied 18.4 million tons of crude oil between April 2017 and January 2018.