India Against Anti-Iran Sanctions : Vice-Speaker

New Delhi, March 4, IRNA – A senior Indian official said Saturday that New Delhi is against any sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran and will continue oil imports from the country. Deputy Speaker of Delhi Assembly Amrish Singh Gautam made the remark in an exclusive interview with IRNA. Rejecting Hillary Clinton's comments that the US is having 'very intense and very blunt' conversation with India and others on reducing their dependence on Iranian oil, Amrish firmly said, 'We are a sovereign country and will do whatever is in the interests of the nation.' Referring to New Delhi-Washington friendly ties, he said, the existing relationship between India and Iran is expanding. He emphasized that political pressures will not prevent New Delhi from consolidating ties with Tehran. Amrish maintained that India-Iran close ties would not only prove beneficial to both nations, but will be to the interest of the entire region. Referring to Iran’s nuclear program, the Indian diplomat said since Iran is a signatory to the NPT it has right to enjoy peaceful nuclear program. Voicing his opposition to the use of force to resolve the standoff, if any, he asked the international community to resolve the issue through negotiations and dialogue. The process should respect Iran’s sovereignty, he concluded./end