Indian ambassador, Iran deputy oil minister discuss oil

Indian Ambassador to Tehran D. P. Srivastava and Iran’s deputy oil minister Mansour Moazami met here on Wednesday holding talks on cooperation in oil sector during the post-sanctions era, AVA Diplomatic reports.

The Indian ambassador was accompanied by a number of Indian oil companies’ representatives in the meeting.

Investment opportunities in Iran’s oil industry and bilateral cooperation following lifting sanctions were two main topics on the agenda, deputy minister of petroleum for planning and supervision on hydrocarbon resources Mansour Moazami said.

India like many other countries has welcomed latest breakthroughs in negotiations between Iran and 5+1 group. India has also expressed its readiness for cooperation especially in trade and oil. New Delhi is one of the traditional customers of Iran’s oil as well.

Notwithstanding US objections, India went ahead with the signing of an agreement with Iran for the development of the strategically important Chabahar port which will give India sea-land access route to Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan.

The pact was signed after comprehensive talks between visiting Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari with the Iranian leadership.

Chabahar port is located in Sistan-Baluchestan Province on Iran’s southeastern coast and is of great strategic utility for India which will get sea-land access route to Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan.

The US has been asking India and other countries not to ‘rush’ into doing business with Iran as Washington was yet to work out a deal with Tehran on the latter’s contentious nuclear program.

The port will be used to ship crude oil and urea, saving India transportation costs.