India News

India to continue trade with Iran despite US sanctions threat

Published

8 years ago

May 29, 2018

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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INDIA bloc likely to meet on September 30 over Gyanesh Kumar row

INDIA bloc parties are likely to meet in New Delhi on September 30 amid growing opposition to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Published

5 hours ago

September 26, 2026

APNLive Desk

Opposition parties belonging to the INDIA bloc are set to meet in New Delhi on September 30 to discuss concerns surrounding the Election Commission, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a proposed removal motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The proposed meeting comes amid growing coordination among opposition parties over the functioning of the poll panel and demands for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The parties are also discussing a possible joint response to the developments.

Why is the INDIA bloc meeting being planned?

The INDIA bloc meeting on September 30 comes amid reports of objections within the Election Commission over certain decisions and orders related to the SIR exercise.

According to the report, Opposition leaders have been discussing a coordinated response to their concerns over the Election Commission and the electoral-roll revision process.

The issue is also expected to be discussed at the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for September 29, a day before the proposed INDIA bloc meeting.

Gyanesh Kumar removal demand in focus

The demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has become a major point of contention between the Opposition and the Election Commission.

The CPI(M), CPI and CPI(ML)-Liberation have demanded Kumar’s removal and an immediate halt to the SIR exercise. Congress has also intensified its criticism of the CEC.

Opposition parties are also working on a fresh removal motion against Gyanesh Kumar. The September 30 meeting is expected to finalise the strategy for the motion, including the collection of signatures. According to the report, this would be the Opposition’s third such attempt.

What is the SIR controversy?

The political dispute is linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, or SIR.

The controversy intensified following a report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded objections on several occasions concerning decisions and orders related to the SIR process.

The Election Commission has said that differing views and observations are part of normal deliberations in a multi-member constitutional body. The poll panel has also maintained that its orders have legal sanction and follow statutory procedures, while stating that the final decisions on the SIR were taken unanimously.

TMC and Left parties coordinate over the issue

The developments have also brought the Trinamool Congress and the CPI(M) together on the Election Commission issue, despite their political differences in West Bengal.

CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby proposed an immediate meeting to discuss a joint strategy. According to the report, Mamata Banerjee spoke with M A Baby and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, after which the leaders settled on September 30 for the meeting.

What could be discussed at the September 30 meeting?

The proposed meeting is expected to focus on:

Concerns surrounding the Election Commission
The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
Opposition demands concerning CEC Gyanesh Kumar
A possible fresh removal notice against the CEC
A coordinated response by INDIA bloc parties

The exact agenda and participation will depend on the discussions among the opposition parties before the proposed meeting.

India News

“Will die but won’t give up”: Sahil Wakode’s parents urge IIT students to continue fight

Sahil Wakode’s parents have appealed to IIT Bombay students to continue their fight for justice amid the ongoing investigation into their son’s death.

Published

6 hours ago

September 26, 2026

APNLive Desk

The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode have appealed to students to continue raising their voices and fighting for justice following their son’s death.

Sahil Wakode, a second-year student at IIT Bombay, died in his hostel room on September 18. His death has led to student protests and an ongoing investigation by the Mumbai Crime Branch.

What Sahil Wakode’s parents have alleged

Sahil’s parents have alleged that their son faced caste-based discrimination and harassment at IIT Bombay before his death. They have sought action against those they hold responsible and have demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The family has also called for a CBI inquiry and has sought the arrest of officials named in the case. These remain allegations and are part of the ongoing investigation.

The Mumbai Crime Branch took over the probe after an FIR was registered following the complaint by Sahil’s parents.

IIT Bombay’s position

IIT Bombay has said that Sahil was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers.

The institute has maintained that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him. It said the matter had been discussed with him by the instructor and the Head of the Department, who counselled him and assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.

The circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death are being investigated by the appropriate authorities.

Investigation continues

The case remains under investigation, with the Mumbai Crime Branch examining the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death and the allegations made by his family.

His parents have continued to demand justice and action against those they believe were responsible, while the investigation is expected to establish the facts surrounding the case.

India News

Gyanesh Kumar meets election commissioners amid poll panel row

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar met Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi amid a controversy over reported objections to Election Commission decisions.

Published

6 hours ago

September 26, 2026

APNLive Desk

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar held a meeting with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi amid an ongoing controversy over the functioning and decision-making process of the Election Commission of India.

The meeting comes days after a report raised questions over formal objections allegedly recorded by the two Election Commissioners regarding several decisions and orders of the poll panel.

The Election Commission has maintained that differing views, observations and suggestions are part of its normal deliberative process. It has also said that all decisions taken by the full Commission over the past year were unanimous.

What is the Election Commission controversy?

The controversy followed a report that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period.

The reported objections included issues concerning changes to Form 6, the handling of additions and deletions from electoral rolls and the centralisation of electoral-roll data.

Form 6 is the statutory form used for applying for registration as a voter.

The Election Commission, however, has disputed the suggestion that the objections amounted to dissent over final decisions. The poll body said written notes, observations, technical suggestions and internal checks and balances are standard parts of its functioning.

ECI says decisions were unanimous

The poll panel has said that all decisions taken by it during the past year were the outcome of unanimous decisions of the full Commission.

It also said that operational queries or inputs raised during the drafting stage are part of the normal administrative process and are intended to improve electoral procedures and safeguard voter rights.

The issue has gained significance because the Election Commission is conducting electoral-roll revisions, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), in several parts of the country.

Opposition parties have questioned the functioning of the poll panel and have cited the reported objections by the two Election Commissioners in their criticism of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Political parties seek clarification

The controversy has also prompted calls for greater clarity from political parties, including some parties that are allies of the BJP-led NDA.

LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, TDP Lok Sabha floor leader Lavu Srikrishna Devarayalu and Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha have sought clarification from the Election Commission regarding concerns surrounding the voter-list revision and the reported objections.

The Election Commission has continued to maintain that its decisions have followed the applicable laws, rules and established procedures.