U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in India on Sunday, the same day when a trade delegation came from Iran, with which Washington wants New Delhi to reduce its commercial ties, especially in energy.
Though senior diplomats and other line Ministry officials have held extensive discussions in the run-up to the India-U.S. Strategic Dialogue, to be anchored by Ms. Clinton and External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, officials said the Secretary of State, on one of her last visits to the region, wanted to utilise her presence in China and Bangladesh to visit Delhi too.
Iran will be one of the subjects during discussions on regional issues, but the focus will be largely on bilateral relations and initiatives being planned for the June 13 Strategic Dialogue in Washington, said official sources, , with at least a dozen subjects on the table.
On the back of bilateral trade in goods and services crossing $100 billion last year, Washington is looking at breakthroughs in investment opportunities and financial deregulation. Talks are being held on the progress made in varied sectors: civil nuclear, defence, security and intelligence, non-proliferation, disarmament and related issues, higher education and joint projects in Africa.
Ms. Clinton reached Kolkata on Sunday and will leave for Delhi on Monday after meeting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. She will call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, but the business part of discussions will take place on Tuesday.
In the run-up to the Indian leg of her visit, agencies have reported an official of her delegation as saying Ms. Clinton will once again persuade Indian leaders to cut down their dependence on Iranian oil. The official noted the stepped up Indian purchases of oil from Saudi Arabia which, he believes, means lower procurement of Iranian oil.
From June, the U.S. will begin implementing sanctions imposed on countries that do not end their oil trade with Iran. Washington has exempted Japan and a dozen of its European allies from the sanctions, but has not taken any decision on China, India, Turkey and South Africa. U.S. Special Envoy for global energy issues Carlos Pasqat will visit India later this month to drive home the point and take note of the reasons India cites for maintaining its energy ties with Iran.
But, in an indication of India's multi-directional interests, a large Iranian business delegation arrived here to hold talks with their Indian counterparts on ways of beating U.S. and European restrictions on trade with Iran. Under a deal, India will pay for about half of its Iranian oil purchases in rupee. This could be utilised by Tehran to buy Indian goods. An Indian delegation visited Iran in March to showcase its products. But both sides realised that some level of two-way trade was necessary to sustain the arrangement; this led to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry to invite their Iranian counterparts at a time when the manufacturing sector is experiencing a sluggish growth.
The preparation for the Iranian business delegation's visit had been under way, much before the State Department informed South Block of Ms. Clinton's plan to add India to her itinerary. Officially, it was said Ms. Clinton's “visit to ‘strategic' partner India once she was in the neighbourhood is reflective of the depth of the ties and the level of comfort that exist between India and the U.S.”
Against this backdrop, agencies quoted Ms. Clinton as saying: “I think it's like any relationship — there is progress in some areas that we are very heartened by, and there is more work to be done. But that's the commitment we make when we say to another country, we want to be your partner.”
India has been unable to substantially reduce its oil imports from Iran because, as a senior diplomat put it, “we have to buy oil from wherever we can get it.” But its disinterestedness ensured that an important outlet for Iranian gas, the Iran-Pakistan-India Pakistan pipeline, remained on the drawing board, while the Washington-backed Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline is on a sure footing, with the four participants confident of signing a gas sales-purchase agreement soon. Furthermore, India has not proposed dates for talks on the Farzad gas field; in fact, it reluctantly met Iranian interlocutors last year after Tehran indicated that it was revising the equity-holding of Indian companies.
Keywords: Hillary India visit, Iran oil imports, India-Iran ties
Japan and a dozen European allies are exempt from the US ban on commercial transactions with nations buying energy from Iran. Why? only Japan and a dozen allies? Madam Hillary Clinton tries her best to showcase her contry's 'democracy' glaring in the face of US hypocracy when it comes to Iran's oil export. India needs the oil. US sits on deposits at home but controls the middle east oil prices and supplies. The bogey of WMD in Iraq and what else in Libya ensured virtual control of their oil resources by the west. The only last oil reserve country big enough to complete with the US petro-dollar strangelhold in the region is Iran. Now the threat ban on countries purchasing oil in currency other than the greenback is a bit too much for US to digest. "No country in the world dare be that independent."
There are hundred buys and few sellers with the cut on the crude oil imports from countries like Iran will only do good to US and no one else and with the constant price raise in oil and gas it will be difficult for India to follow the leads from US, I believe we are a nation who needs no suggestions from anyone. Our demand & supply of oil and gas are not catching up and if we start acting funny with the oil producing nations we will definitely see more inflation. India's dependency on US has increased in last few years and its leading a situation where US will start dictating terms to India... Fact of the life is - since America's attach on Iraq billions of gallons of crude oil in Iraq are missing...
India should decide its foreign policy based on National Interests. Helping out on international conflict whereever it can is good but India nation interest should take priority. India can demand USA 1st. to bring down speculative Oil prices being brought in by the Heavy speculative activity in NyMex. 2nd It should ask for replacement oil at a reasonable price in a long term contract. India cannot afford to play with its future and development for sake of helping out a partner. India cannot and should not commit to creating energy crisis on its people. India should firmly explain its energy need and its relationship with Iran Let us hope that disagreement amongst friends can survive the friendship.
When will the U.S. realize that there is no such thing as a unipolar world now?? Today U.S. will make sanctions again Iran, then tomorrow it will suddenly embrace the Iranians, just like what is happening with the Taliban. It is high time US stops poking its nose into every inter-country relation in the world. Last heard, it is still recovering from a recession right?
It is high time, India determines its own policies and does not succumb to threat
of arm twisting postures by United States or any other country, with regard to our
import of oil from Iran or from any other country; or on any other issue concerning
us. It is none of US's business or anybody else's to tell us, what we should do. It is
the US which depends more on India (and China as well) for its main market(s) than
vice versa. US does not want lasting peace in our sub-continent because as long as
India has friction with Pakistan and China, it suits their economy by sale of arms
and military hardware in the region. It is more important for India to have friendly
relations with China and Pakistan in its own interests. There is a saying, a “friendly
foe” as your neighbor is far more useful than a “far away friend”. This is more true,
if the "far away friend" is interested more in his own "interests" than ours.
India and US are natural partners as both countries are democracies.
We should proceed relations with Iran carefully.India should increase its oil productivity to combat future problems.Efforts should be made to make India self sufficient in Energy Sector.
No, they won't do their duties, in fact they think that they are dictator. and they want to take hold off entire world. but definitely difference between Iraq and Iran. As i think Iranian are very clever/powerful/ and knowledgeable people and they do dedication in their work. not for this century however from long back, they gave world lots of scientist,philosopher etc.
I fully agree with Sadasivan.I have observed the practices of Wallstreet how they manipulate to keep the dollar price up.That has to stop in America's own interest because many small countries are in trouble.Slowly they are leaving on dependence on Dollar and that's the reason sanctions are not effective the way they expected.INDIA MUST NOT FEAR OF SANCTIONS. American policy is flexible.The enemy country the other day become friendly e.g.Mexico,Cuba,Vietnam and so many to count.Perhaps to morrow even North Korea and Iran also will be friendly.India must not loose her long standing business and cultural relations.
We should respect the concerns of US and Israel, agree but where were they when Pakistan was supported in it's quest for a dirty weapon. We bleed regularly and that bomb is the reason, we have been reluctant in taking a bold step to contain it and every time had to take steps to patch up with them. US or any other country should not lecture us on this. We are against any nuke race but we can not undermine our energy requirement.
India and Iran have extremely close ties stretching over milleniums. It is difficult for US to understand that it is not always the might that counts in international relations. US oil companies have shared the spoils of the Iraq war, ignoring Indian interests. Iran being an independent republic, sitting on vast reserves of oil looks like a thorn in the middle east. Pakistan can't be treated like Afghanistan or Iraq for understandable reasons. India, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are all interrelated and US, shouldn't interfere in the historically close ties between these nations. World would benefit immensely if democracy is allowed to flourish, in the region. Iran however horrible it might look, still has a democracy, and a much better and open academia than Saudi Arabia, a very close ally of US.
It may all be a tempest in a tea pot. I believe the West has decided to throw in the towel on Iran's uranium enrichment issue. The count down to climb down has started and the climb down starts with the P5 + 1 meeting in Baghdad later this month. I agree with Sadasivan that not using Dollar as a medium for trade is a very key issue. This in fact goes to the heart of the Iran-West conflict.
I hope the UPA doesn't 'cave in' to American demands. India doesn't want instability and war in its neighborhood also Iran has ancient civilizational links with India. The U.S. wants to start wars in the middle east to control and oil supply and then trade oil using the dollar, this hegemony needs to be challenged and brought to an end.
Why do we stop importing from Iran, and further enrich what is a far, far worse tinpot dictatorship that doesn't really like us much in the first place?
She could have called India and said this rather than wasting the fuel.Practice what you preach.
India and Iran have always had good trade,diplomatic relationships which did benefit both parties,giving it up just to be in the American 'good book' doesn't make sense.Cant help asking but who is she waving at...am pretty sure she doesn't have much fan following in Kolkata(Pic)..
We are the heavy consumers of oil. We should look for nearest resources so that we could have benefits in dealing rather than dealing from far away countries.India should seek for its own purpose despite of others intervention.
Amazing for over 30 years we have been crying out loud to stop giving arms to Pakistanis. US was never a very good ally to India. Now they expect us to roll over at there command. Every body has the right to guard their interests now it is India's turn.
USA is the only country which dropped an atom bomb on another country. They have no moral right to prevent any other country going for nuclear bombs. That includes Iran and north Korea. The USA is manipulating every other country so that they remain powerful. India should never allow it foreign and economic policies dictated by anyone, leave alone the USA.
hillary clinton shouldn't have been given visa to come to india. when Modi doesn't get visa to go to US, why should she get visa to come to india.
India should say to Hilary Clinton we will buy oil from anyone who will accept Indian rupee in payments, just like Iran is doing. Of course she will not accept that, because that would then threaten the US dollar and accelerate it's decline.
India should say to Clinton, it is none of your business as to how we deal with Iran. We are not your colony any more. Further, thanks to your colonisation of our country for 250 years, you turned our country from a first world prospering country to a third world starving and begging country. We are trying to turn our country around and a stability of energy supplies is central to that. Also, you should know that our relations with Iran goes back thousands of years; many millions of Indians are descendants of Persia, and under the previous Mughal empire, India actually prospered because they cared for our country, they treated our country as it was their own. Contrast this with the British empire who just came here to pillage, and left our country in a third world status.
well US as usual wants to dictate terms to other countries.......
It is high time sanctions are to be imposed on USA. We are witnessing the heights of Global dictatorship thro USA and its rulers. Let Indian Govt should not meekly submit to the dictates of Hilary clinton or for that matter to the president of US. Let the Indian Govt what is beneficial for its country. If India can get oil thro Rupee payments to Iran then the Govt should welcome it and it is high time India prop up mutual understanding amongst the BRICS nations and develop a shielding power against such atrocities of US and the Nato countries.
"Clinton to press India on Iran oil imports"Now Mr.Manmohan Singh let's
try this out, "let India Press U.S.A for solution for our energy
need's". we are not doing any favor to Iran by our Oil import's. we just
doing business keeping our energy needs on forefront.Indian Economics
is not what USA Economics is made up. so chill Mrs Bill just take care
of your Ally Mr. Pakistan we will just do fine with International
commitments.cheers Have a Good Day.
US must set its own house in order, before dictating a large democracy
what it must do. As US have captured most of the Oil rich countries by
waging war on terror (Libya & Iraq), they tend to ignore Iran for oil.
But as a emerging economy and energy deficiency, India should not shun
away from cheap oil source in Iran. Global order must change for real
good.
That Imperialisam once again raises its ugly head of intrusion into the economies of third world countries. Nothing could be more disastrous than the U.S' threat of trade restrictions on India for its ties with oil- friendly Iran, whose nod for exchange of Indian rupees for the oil import is a boon for Indian economy. Better Clinton bestow her attention in mitigating the woes of those assembled in Wall Streets in lieu of infringing on India's autonomy of trade with Iran. Iran the oil rich nation, already in the list of rogues in the blood soaked pages of U.S. needs the support of other nations to keep the designs of Imperialism at bay. One hopes India a major constituent of BRICS nations,stands firm does not give in to the pressure tactics. Will it score in the acid test?
Though I don't think Iran is indispensable for India's energy security, I feel it's quite humiliating for us to succumb to the pressure of a foreign country, namely the USA, and fashion our bilateral relationship with Iran or with any other country for that matter as per its prescription. India should have a diversified source for its imports of petroleum and as such there should be no rigidity in respect of choice of countries from where to buy the same. Saudi Arabia or other Middle Eastern countries that are eager to isolate Iran and replace it as exporter may be a good alternative for India but the decision should be strictly taken on the basis of the potential benefit that it would accrue to us, not on whether that falls in line with the position of Western countries that have a personal vendetta against Iran. We cannot act as a pawn in the battle between two hostile countries. It suits neither our stature nor our prestige.
It will be better for USA to limit its big brother attitude with in Afganistan & Pakistan.We are in need of oil and we are definitely have the right to procure oil from where we gets cheaply in the world market.So India need not heed to the pressure tactic of USA.
One of the reason is that the Dollar WILL NOT be the medium for
trade.This is HIGHLY hypocritical,as The Wall Street
bankers,manipulate prices of all Commodities,Shares and Currencies
misusing the Derivatives,especially,Crude oil,Gold,Silver and Food
items,to name only a few. Keeping oil prices high with the Dollar as the medium of trade will make the currency strong.
BAN the Derivatives in all its forms, and STOP the Wall Street
Bankers,from resorting to FRAUD and Financial terrorism on the rest of
the World.Will the US do it's duty?
From 21.2 million tons in March 2010 to 18.5 million tons in 2011 and in March 31 2012 India's imports of crude from Iran has come down to around 20%, with the two major importers the state owned Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Ltd and the private concern Essar oil Ltd have cut their imports due to difficulties in business practices because sanctions imposed by US,also towards the end of June India and some countries are on the verge of facing sanctions by the Obama Administration if they continue to do business with Iran. But our energy securities and economic concerns could not be set aside because of US pressure tactics. Diversifying our portfolio regarding crude imports is necessary but giving in to US pressure at the cost of our strategic relations is not good. The world knows that after capturing the Iraq oil reserves the US under the pretext of stopping Iranian nuclear program, is in the form of economic sanctions and war mongering only eying the Iranian oil.
I think India has the capacity to make decisions by itself. We have
an energy crisis and it is necessary that we get it from sources
nearby. Other nations should not give pressure on us because they
have a problem with that country. Let us be.
It is like telling a thirsty man,not to drink from the nearet well and die with thirst
because the village chaudhury wants it that way.
Someone has to clearly and cogently explain to Hillary Clinton that India's global responsibilities are not always congruent with blindly following the US-Israeli line on Iran. A strong articulation of India's growing energy needs and the long, civilizational ties between India and Iran is the order of the day. One can only hope that Ms. Clinton can understand what civilizational ties actually mean, not having had the benefit of one herself.
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