India reiterated right from day one that import of crude from Iran was important for India’s energy needs.So after a lot of raving and ranting exception have been made by the US on purchase of Iranian crude. US knew from the start that countries like China and India are going to simply ignore its sanctions. They follow only UN declared sanction and that too if it is done legitimately.
US has “ most graciously exempted “ India, China and seven other countries from the sanctions on importing oil from Iran…..did it have any other choice? The Indian foreign ministry said it was now examining the details of the said “ exemption “.
The government on Friday expressed satisfaction over the US display of wisdom , though delayed, on oil imports from Iran as well as the development of Chabahar port. Though India once again reiterated at the same time that import of crude from Iran was important for India’s energy needs.
“We have seen the US notification including India in the list of countries granted Significant Reduction Exemption for continued purchase of Iranian crude oil without attracting US sanctions “. That the US government has finally understood the reality and backed out from unnecessary confrontation has been appreciated by India.
Acknowledging US action, Raveesh Kumar said India was a major importer of Iranian crude as it was very important for India’s energy security needs. The spokesperson added though that he wasn’t at liberty to give details about the quantum of crude oil that India will continue to import.
The government also said that it had taken note of the US statement that exception had been provided under the Iran Freedom and Counter Proliferation Act of 2012 with respect to development of Chabahar Port and the construction of an associated railway line. “We appreciate that the US recognised the role which this port will play to bring strategic and long term benefits to Afghanistan as well as enhance Afghanistan’s connectivity with the outside world,” said Kumar.
US secretary of state Mike Pompeo “ grandly “ announced on Monday that Washington had “exempted “ India and seven other countries from the sanctions on importing oil from Iran. There had been concerns in Washington circles that Delhi and Beijing may have countered that “ pray who asked for such exemptions “. Following the fresh US sanctions on Iran, which came into effect on November 5, India would have gone ahead anyway as Tehran is a major supplier of crude oil to India.
