Revise relations with Iran, Haley tells India

Revise relations with Iran, Haley tells India

News:

1. The U. S. envoy to the U.N. Nikki Haley raised concerns over trade with Iran during her meeting with PM Narendra Modi.

Important facts:

2. She said, Iran is a major threat to the world and Tehran’s violations of its nuclear commitments and alleged sponsorship of terrorism made it the “next North Korea”.

3. In an interview to TV channel, Ms Haley also called India to “rethink its relationship with Iran”.

4. The comments by Ms Haley appear to be a part of a concerted campaign by the U.S. to ensure that India, Iran’s second biggest oil importer after China, cut its oil trade.

5. S. State Department official had clarified that India must comply with the U.S. sanctions against Iran and bring oil imports to “zero” by its November 4 .

6. However, MEA spokesperson said this statement was not India specific and applies to all countries.

7. However, this is looking to be difficult because:

a. New Delhi had committed to raising its imports from Tehran by as much as 25% after a visit by Iranian President Roshani in Feb this year.

b. The U.S. strictures follow president Trump’s decision in May to pull out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) multilateral nuclear deal.

c. Subsequently, bring in the countering America’s Adversaries through sanctions act (CAATSA) law that sanctions countries dealing with the Washington’s “adversaries”.

8. Earlier, External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had been more categorical about maintaining ties with Tehran by saying that “India would comply only with UN sanctions, not U.S. sanctions.”

9. On the subject of Pakistan , Ms Halely said that the Trump administration had sent tougher message on support to terror groups than in the past