NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday kept open the option of purchasing oil from Iran, with foreign minister Sushma Swaraj informing her visiting Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif that New Delhi will take a decision after the national polls come to an end on 23 May. Washington has despatched an aircraft carrier and stealth bombers to the region triggering fears of a conflict breaking out. “India is consistent with Iran in many areas and such bilateral dialogues and exchanges are absolutely necessary for strengthening relations between the two countries," Zarif was quoted as saying. Another Mehr news report quoted Zarif as saying Iran and India had “designed a special financial system to augment trade and economic cooperation", without elaborating. The JCPOA is the formal name for the Iran nuclear deal concluded between Iran and the P5+1 —China, France, Germany, Russia, the UK and the US in 2015.

Source: Mint May 14, 2019 14:37 UTC