An exclusive Reuters report quoted two Indian sources with knowledge of
the matter as saying on Thursday that New Delhi seeks to maintain its crude
shipments from Iran at its current level of about 300,000 barrels per day (bpd).
The sources added that India is trying to ensure renewal of the current
waiver, which is set to expire this May.
The US left a multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran, officially known
as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), last May and re-imposed
nuclear-related sanctions that had been lifted under the deal, including those
on Iran's oil sales. Washington,
however, granted waivers to Iran's major customers, namely China, India, Japan,
South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, Italy, and Greece, on condition that they cut
their crude imports from Iran. Washington is applying pressure on the major
recipients of Iran’s crude to reduce the country’s oil exports to “zero”
through the bans.
One of the Indian sources said talks with Washington on extending the
waiver had slowed due to the US government shutdown that extended through
January.
“Talks
have now resumed and India wants to get clarity before general elections
scheduled in May,” Reuters cited the source as saying.
Iran is currently India's seventh biggest oil supplier.
In late October last year, a few days before the US was about to bring
Iran’s energy sector under its restrictive measures, Iranian President Hassan
Rouhani assured the nation of the government’s resolve to stand up to US
threats. He emphasized that his team would do all in its power to resolve the
economic problems caused by American pressure.
“We tell
them that ‘you will not reach any of your goals with regard to Iran’s oil
sales. You will neither be able to bring it to zero nor reduce it,’” Rouhani
said.
“Our people need to rest
assure that the government is not afraid of US threats,” he added.
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