Iran satisfied with Chabahar port progress, calls it strategic cooperation with India

[Khamlun News Reporter]

WION | Updated: Jul 18, 2018, 05:40 AM IST

Abbas Araghchi

In an exclusive interview to WION, he indicated that both countries were exploring ways to circumvent US sanctions by making oil payments in rupee or euros, which means a sort of trilateral cooperation between Iran, India and the European Union.

Will it affect Chabahar port project?

We are quite satisfied with the ongoing work at Chabahar. It is an example of strategic cooperation. It has importance for Afghanistan and Central Asia. Iran attaches great importance to the port project.

Iran's deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi was in India to hold foreign office consultations. His visit assumed significance in the wake of US sanctions threatening to block oil supplies to India. In an exclusive interview to WION, he indicated that both countries were exploring ways to circumvent US sanctions by making oil payments in rupee or euros, which means a sort of trilateral cooperation between Iran, India and the European Union. India has also agreed to allow Iran's Pasargad Bank to open its branch in Mumbai to facilitate payments for oil imports. The foreign ministers of both countries are also meeting in Tehran in November to further strengthen the mechanism and explore further possibilities. Excerpts:

You held consultations with your Indian counterparts. Was there any way out on the issue of oil payments in the wake of US sanctions?
Yes, oil was one of the main subjects of discussion. Iran and India have been partners for long. Previous US sanctions didn't stop our ties. Iran shall continue to be a supplier of oil to India.

Did you discuss any mechanisms that will come into force after the US sanctions?
Different ideas are under consideration. We will update, adjust existing mechanisms. We exchanged some creative ideas in the meetings here.

 

[Khamlun News Reporter]

India, Iran discuss boosting economic cooperation, connectivity.

India and Iran on Monday discussed strengthening economic cooperation and enhancing connectivity during a delegation-level meeting between Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi here.

IANS | Updated: July 17, 2018, 07:58 IST

India, Iran discuss boosting economic cooperation, connectivity New Delhi: India and Iran on Monday discussed strengthening economic cooperation and enhancing connectivity during a delegation-level meeting between Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi here.

The meeting was held amid speculations about the fallout of US sanctions on imports of petroleum products from Iran.


According to a statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry, both sides "reviewed and positively assessed" the progress in implementation of decisions taken during the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's visit to India in February this year, "especially for enhancing connectivity and strengthening cooperation in trade and economic issues and in the promotion of people-to-people exchanges".

During Rouhani's visit, the two countries broad-based their relationship by signing nine agreements, including one on connectivity relating to the strategic Chabahar port.

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"Views were also exchanged on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including the efforts being made by various parties to address issues that have arisen over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," Monday's External Affairs Ministry statement said without getting into details.

"It was agreed to maintain the momentum of mutually beneficial multifaceted bilateral cooperation and exchanges between the two sides and to hold the next round of Joint Commission Meeting at the level of External Affairs Minister in November 2018 in Iran," it added.

Earlier this year, the US withdrew from the nuclear deal signed in 2015 between Iran, the European Union and the P5+1 group (five permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany) and reinforced sanctions on the West Asian nation.

India has made it clear that it does not recognise country-specific sanctions.

Iran is the second largest supplier of crude oil to India, supplying more than 425,000 barrels of oil per day, and India is one of the biggest foreign investors in Iran's oil and gas industry.

India, along with Iran and Afghanistan, are jointly developing the strategic Chabahar port in the southeastern coast of Iran that will give access to Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan.

 

[Chakar The Great]

Absolutely , India needs to pour money into development of port. Very important.

 

[Khamlun News Reporter]

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