New Delhi, Jun 25 (UNI): India on Tuesday called for de-escalation of tension in the Gulf saying it is concerned about the safety of its large diaspora and dependence on oil from the region.
India expressed its concern as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was on his way to New Delhi from the Gulf region where he held talks with leaders in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates about building a global coalition to protect shipping lanes following the recent attack on oil tankers that Washington blamed on Iran.
On Wednesday, Pompeo will have talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. He will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Tensions in the Gulf is running high after Iran shot down a US spy drone last week and President Donald Trump considered and then cancelled a retaliatory strike.
On Monday, Trump signed an executive order for sanctions targeting Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his office and those closely affiliated with him. Washington also announced that Iran's foreign minister is in the U.S. upcoming list of sanctions.
Sources said the matter was of concern and that both sides should deescalate.
On the US sanctions to buy oil from Iran, they said the issue would figure in Wednesday's talks with Pompeo and alternative supplies. While Indian oil companies have stopped imports to avoid sanctions, a decision would be taken based on the country's energy security and commercial considerations.
Data showed the country imported 84 per cent its crude in the last financial year.
Petroelum minister Dharmendra Pradhan last week expressed concern on the developments in the Strait of Hormuz leading to rising crude oil price and sought "active role" of Saudi Arabia within OPEC &OPEC Plus for keeping oil prices at reasonable levels, given the sensitivity of Indian consumers to price volatility.
On Tuesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov advised Washington to revise its approach in dealing with Iran as the new sets of sanctions against Iran has invalidated the US calls for inviting Iran to the table of negotiations.
Speaking to reporters in Moscow, Ryabkov urged the US to change its policy of imposing maximum pressure on Iran in order to keep the door to negotiations open.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Russia will spare no efforts to prevent an explosion in the Middle East.
Speaking at a joint press conference with French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, Medvedev said that the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action has caused escalation in the region.
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