India to act in 'national interest' as Iran-US tussle intensifies, government sources to WION

With the US government eager to stop countries from engaging with Iran, Indian government sources have told WION that top officials have been engaging with the US administration over the issue.

The government sources have said New Delhi will act in "national interest". The Commerce Ministry will send a delegation shortly to the US for talks over trade with Iran, sources said.

The Trump administration had pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal last month and had told other countries not to trade with Iran on oil, asserting "zero tolerance" on countries who traded with the Rohani government in an attempt to shut out Iran.

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India had earlier conveyed to Iran it will read the sanctions but had made no "categorical assurance" that it would act. Iran is India's third-biggest oil importer.

US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley during her three-day visit to India last week had conveyed to Indian government officials that the US thinks of "Iran asthe next North Korea". Haley had told the Indian government that despite sanctions Iran continued to violate UN resoultions.

Haley reportedly told the Indian government to "rethink" its ties with Iran.

India and Iran have been cooperating on bringing up the strategically important Chabahar port which is due to open next year. Indian government sources said US "understands" India's concerns on Chabahar. The port allows India a foothold in Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan and a key trade route to West Asia.

The Indian government sources confirmed to WION that 2+2 dialogue between Indian and the US was postponed due to US secretary of state Pompeo's current engagement with North Korea and not for any other reason..