India will decide on its imports from Iran based on its own interests and not under pressure, Indian oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan responded to the US call to cut imports from Iran.
“Certain things are not to be judged on the opinions or somebody’s reaction,” Indian oil minister said.
“India is a very stable market and matured economy. India’s leadership is very vigilant, and we will go by our interest,” Pradhan noted.
“We have a multi-country energy basket,” Indian oil minister said. “We source crude oil from across the globe at competitive prices. No oil producing country, whoever they may be, can ignore my requirement or my expectation. My interest is paramount to me,” Pradhan added.
The US has told all countries, including India and China, to stop their oil imports from Iran by November 4 or face sanctions.
The Indian government has maintained that it does not accept unilateral sanctions, such as the one imposed by the US on Iran, but follows the sanctions by United Nations.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Qingdao stressed on the need for strengthening and developing mutual economic and political cooperation.
