Chinese Response to US’ Iranian oil request, India Needs To Ditto
The White House blazed away a statement last Monday blaring that the US will not extend the exemption period for countries buying oil from Iran, and the early May deadline stands. US media paraphrased this to read that the US will impose sanctions on countries that continue to purchase oil from Iran after May 2.
After the US unilateral sanctions on Iran took effect in November last year, it suddenly found to its surprise that it had to agree to let eight countries and regions continue to import Iranian oil for another six months, otherwise its “ sanction “ would fall flat.
Being American Camp followers and having little choice, Italy, Greece and Taiwan had to stop buying Iranian oil earliest and they have complied. Not so the other five Asian countries that are still importing large amounts of oil from Iran, they are China, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey.
Now, the American bully has warned that these countries if they continue to buy Iranian oil, they risk facing US sanctions. So it’s a tough choice for South Korea and Turkey, as they too are deemed Camp followers. Though China, India and Japan cannot be bullied and they will take action which will suit their national interest.
This act of the US is a typical manifestation of unilateralism and hegemony. Washington not only seeks to suppress Iran, but also makes other countries and regions suffer.
China, India and even Japan are unlikely to comply with the US. Sources in India say New Delhi has already made this clear to the the US. To save face US needs to extend the “exemption period” once again or it will just fall flat. Iran’s oil exports have fallen sharply since last year, but hoping they will drop to zero is unrealistic.
China is the biggest buyer of Iranian oil. How Beijing deals with the US demand will attract more attention, given tense China-US relations since last year. So is the case with Indo US relations, presently, USA needs India more than vice verse and certainly US cannot bully India by any means whatsoever. Also US may find itself at the receiving end, incase India and China take a united stand on Iran ……this may even lead to ultimate expulsion of USA from Asia itself.
Its time both China and India should clarify their interests and principles surrounding the purchase of oil from Iran and strive to minimize friction with US without any loss to their national interests.
the Iran nuclear agreement with Britain, France, Germany and Russia needs to be joined by both China and India too and thus safeguarded from American interference. Both should also need to maintain friendly and cooperative relations with Iran.
China and India both oppose any hegemonic approach by any country, be it US, but instead of confronting US on the issue, both must just ignore any unilateral actions of America. Beijing needs to coordinate with other major powers to respond to US sanctions against Iran.
The Chinese have already decide to ensure operational safety of their ongoing private enterprises in Iran and they have the right to continue to cooperate with Iran or withdraw, keeping in mind the situation on the ground. India will certainly not withdraw from its Chabahar Project and may have to prepare itself to defend it at all cost, if it comes to that.
One of the most criticized actions in Washington has been the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the re-imposition of sanctions. In doing so, the US has hit Germany and other European countries hard. Several European powers generally support their companies’ continuing presence in Iran, but those firms are actually scaling down their operations in Iran because of concerns over US sanctions. The EU proposal for an alternative payment system in response to US financial sanctions has done little to reassure European companies.
Both India and China do not want to have a showdown with the US over Iran, nor can Beijing and New Delhi just let Washington do what it wants.
Therefore there is a need to strengthen coordination among countries. If the issue can be dragged, then let it drag. Otherwise, the issue can be modified. If it cannot be modified, let it be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
On the issue of boycotting US sanctions against Iraq, neither principles can be discarded nor interests. This is a time to test wisdom.
