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India to continue trade with Iran despite US sanctions threat

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India to continue trade with Iran despite US sanctions threat

Sushma Swaraj meets Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif

Despite US threats of imposing “the highest level” of economic sanctions against Iran, India has made it clear that it will continue its trade with that country as New Delhi honors UN sanctions and not the “country specific sanctions”. It has asserted that New Delhi does not formulate its foreign policy “under pressure”.

On Monday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj clarified on India’s policy towards Iran on two different occasions. After making a statement during her ministry’s annual press briefing clarifying about sanctions against Iran, Sushma Swaraj met Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif  in the evening during which he sought India’s support in salvaging Iran’s nuclear deal in the wake of the US pull out.

According to ministry of external affairs statement, “FM Zarif briefed about the discussions that Iran has undertaken with parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) following the US decision to withdraw from the agreement.”

The two top diplomats “discussed bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest and assessed the implementation of decisions taken during the visit of President Rouhani to India. They included bilateral cooperation in the areas of connectivity, energy, trade and promotion of people to people contacts”.

The sources said that Iran’s foreign minister sought India’s support to the nuclear deal during his talks with Swaraj. China, Russia and a number of European countries are working to salvage the deal.

It said that Sushma Swaraj conveyed that all parties to the agreement should engage constructively for peaceful resolution of issues that have arisen with respect to it.

Sushma Swaraj, while responding to a question during press briefing, said that New Delhi will keep trading with Iran and will only follow UN sanctions and not those imposed by any other country. She recalled that India continued its trade with Iran during earlier US sanctions.

Read More: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to visit India

“India follows only UN sanctions and not unilateral sanctions by any country,” she said when asked about New Delhi’s response to the US decision to withdraw from a 2015 nuclear agreement and re-impose sanctions against Tehran.

However, Swaraj emphasized that India rejects “reactionary” policies and will not be dictated to by other countries. “We don’t make our foreign policy under pressure from other countries. We believe in UN sanctions but not in country-specific sanctions,” she pointed out. She added that India’s position was “independent” of any other country and would not make foreign policy “under pressure.”

Zarif’s day-long visit was part of Tehran’s efforts to reach out to major world powers after US pulled out from the 2015 nuclear deal under which Tehran had agreed to stop its sensitive nuclear activities in return for the lifting of crippling economic sanctions.

The Iranian foreign minister has already visited China, Russia and some European countries in the last three weeks after Donald Trump announced US withdrawal from the nuclear deal.

Iran is India’s third largest oil supplier and there were apprehensions about possible impact of the US decision on India’s oil imports. Modi’s government is already facing opposition ire on the unprecedented hike in petrol and diesel prices. Tehran is one of New Delhi’s top oil suppliers.

Read More: Trump’s pull out of Iran N-deal may escalate oil prices

The other members of Iranian delegation accompanying Zarif had separate meetings with their counterparts where they discussed measures for practical cooperation between the two sides.

In 2015 Iran and P5+1, permanent UNSC members and Germany had signed the deal known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) after years of negotiations. It’s implementation began in January 2016. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has on 11 occasions has verified full compliance by Iranian authorities.

On May 8, US President Donald Trump had announced that Washington was walking away from the multilateral deal. He also said that he would reinstate US nuclear sanctions on Iran suspended under the nuclear accord and impose “the highest level” of economic sanctions on Iran.

In February this year, during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani expressed readiness to expand mutual relations in all areas.

Read More: India sends first wheat shipment for Afghanistan via Iranian Chabahar port

During Rouhani’s visit Iran awarded a much-awaited agreement to India over the management of part of its strategic Chabahar port – a move that could enable India to dodge Pakistan and reach markets in Afghanistan, Central Asia and beyond.

Read More: Iran: More Indian ports may transit through Chabahar port

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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