In an abrupt act of defilement, India has challenged the US and EU buy defying their sanctions on Iran. In other words, giving the finger to the United States and Europe.
India has stood up to the US saying it will not cut its oil imports from Iran despite America and European Union's sanctions against Tehran. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee boldly made this clarification during his visit to the US on Sunday.
Mukherjee's clarification came just a day before Foreign Ministers of the EU meet in Brussels on Monday to decide on the embargo.
Washington wants buyers in Asia, which is Iran's biggest oil market, to cut imports to put further pressure on Tehran to rein in its nuclear ambition. But the US' new sanctions, which were authorised December 31, could make it difficult for New Delhi to pay Tehran for oil imports as they penalise financial institutions dealing with Iran's central bank.
India, which imports 12 per cent of its oil from the Islamic Republic, cannot do without Iranian oil, the official said.
"Iran contributes substantially and it is not possible for India to reduce the import from Iran drastically, because the countries that can meet the requirements of emerging economies, Iran is an important country amongst them," said Mukherjee.
India defies US, EU, says won't cut Iran oil imports - World News - IBNLive
India has stood up to the US saying it will not cut its oil imports from Iran despite America and European Union's sanctions against Tehran. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee boldly made this clarification during his visit to the US on Sunday.
Mukherjee's clarification came just a day before Foreign Ministers of the EU meet in Brussels on Monday to decide on the embargo.
Washington wants buyers in Asia, which is Iran's biggest oil market, to cut imports to put further pressure on Tehran to rein in its nuclear ambition. But the US' new sanctions, which were authorised December 31, could make it difficult for New Delhi to pay Tehran for oil imports as they penalise financial institutions dealing with Iran's central bank.
India, which imports 12 per cent of its oil from the Islamic Republic, cannot do without Iranian oil, the official said.
"Iran contributes substantially and it is not possible for India to reduce the import from Iran drastically, because the countries that can meet the requirements of emerging economies, Iran is an important country amongst them," said Mukherjee.
India defies US, EU, says won't cut Iran oil imports - World News - IBNLive