NEW DELHI: India is hopeful that future negotiations between the US and Iran may help restart energy imports from Tehran even as New Delhi maintains that its policy on oil purchases from the Persian Gulf nation would continue to be guided by its commercial and energy interests.
The Iranian situation will be a key discussion item on the agenda during talks between US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and his Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar, in New Delhi on Wednesday. India is engaging with the US on oil import alternatives in view of the US sanctions on Iran, sources said.
“We are engaging with the US on alternatives for oil imports in view of the US sanctions on Iran. India’s decision will be guided by its energy security needs,” one of the sources cited above said.
Indian oil companies have already taken the decision not to import more oil from Iran after the US waivers ran out on May 2
The Indian Navy has deployed warships in the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf to ensure the safety of Indian flagged vessels operating in the region after tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Naval aircraft are also conducting surveillance in the area.
The Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region , which was launched in Gurgaon in December last year, is also keeping a close watch on the movement of ships in the Gulf region.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com