WEB DESK
Iran’s foreign affairs minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that India is committed to buy oil from his country and continue the economic cooperation between two countries, reports Indian media.
He said this after talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New York. The two discussed bilateral issues, including the US’ sanctions against the major crude exporter.
“Our Indian friends have always been categorical in terms of their intention to continue economic cooperation and (the) import of oil from Iran. And I heard the same statement from my Indian counterpart,” said Zarif. India is second biggest buyer of Iran oil after China.
“We have comprehensive cooperation with India and that comprehensive cooperation also includes energy cooperation because Iran has always been a reliable source of energy for India,” he added.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from an international nuclear pact with Iran was followed up with plans to impose new sanctions against the third-largest producer among the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Washington is pushing allies to cut Iranian oil imports to zero once the sanctions start on Nov. 4.
During the meeting held on the sidelines of the 73rd UN General Assembly session on Wednesday the two sides also discussed the status of Iran nuclear deal with the European Union.
“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 was natural that the issue of sanctions did come up during the meeting, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told reporters