India-Russia Against Unilateral Sanctions On Iran

New Delhi, Dec 17, IRNA -- India and Russia on Friday warned against unilateral sanctions on Iran, in an apparent reference to actions taken by the US and other Western nations, and advocated the use of political and diplomatic means to resolve the tensions arising out of Tehran's nuclear program. In a joint statement issued after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev held summit talks at Moscow, both countries voiced concern over the situation emerging around Iran's nuclear program. While recognizing the inherent right of states to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, India and Russia stressed the need for all states to comply with their respective obligations on non-proliferation. The joint statement supported a comprehensive and long-term settlement of the situation exclusively through political and diplomatic means by promoting dialog. In this context, they also noted that unilateral sanctions could be counter-productive, a veiled reference to the US action. Both countries while recognizing Iran's right to develop research, produce and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in conformity with international obligations urged that country to comply with the provisions of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and extend full cooperation to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Iran says that its nuclear program is for purely peaceful purposes./end