Iran open to negotiations on nuke issue
Mr Safari said that Iran is open to negotiations at this stage, and would like the matter reverted to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: Two days before Iran faces a UN deadline to stop uranium enrichment, Iran’s deputy foreign minister paid a visit to India and apprised officials here on Iran’s position on the nuclear stand-off. Iran’s deputy foreign minister Asia, Oceania and Commonwealth, Dr Mehdi Safari met foreign secretary Shyam Saran, national security advisor MK Narayanan and secretary (East) Rajiv Sikri. Mr Safari told them that Iran is open to negotiations at this stage, and would like the matter reverted to the International Atomic Energy Agency. He is understood to have said that Iran will, however, not accept any preconditions on its nuclear programme before the talks.
“Dr Safari explained Iran’s response to the P5+1 package. He emphasised that Iran is open to negotiations and is willing to cooperate fully with the IAEA but will insist on its rights under the NPT and on the issue being reverted to the IAEA,” a ministry of external affairs statement said. Secretary (East) Rajiv Sikri put forward India’s stand that confrontation should be avoided and that India does not want instability and confrontation in the region. “He (Mr Sikri) said India believes that, as a signatory to the NPT, Iran must enjoy all its rights and honour all its obligations. He emphasised that India wants all issues to be resolved through dialogue and discussion rather than coercion,” the statement said.
This is the first visit in over six months by an official from Iran. Foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki was scheduled to visit India early last month, but the trip was cancelled due to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
Sources said India would have preferred not to have any visit from the Iran side at this stage due to the continuing nuclear stand off.
This visit was also initiated by the Iranians, much to the discomfort of South Block. Last time too, just before the IAEA vote, Iran had sent an emissary to India.
Until now Iran has rejected a Security Council request to suspend uranium enrichment by the August 31 deadline, which could lead to sanctions being imposed on Iran. Incidentally, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad challenged his US counterpart, George W Bush, to a television debate on the nuclear issue.
“Dr Safari explained Iran’s response to the P5+1 package. He emphasised that Iran is open to negotiations and is willing to cooperate fully with the IAEA but will insist on its rights under the NPT and on the issue being reverted to the IAEA,” a ministry of external affairs statement said. Secretary (East) Rajiv Sikri put forward India’s stand that confrontation should be avoided and that India does not want instability and confrontation in the region. “He (Mr Sikri) said India believes that, as a signatory to the NPT, Iran must enjoy all its rights and honour all its obligations. He emphasised that India wants all issues to be resolved through dialogue and discussion rather than coercion,” the statement said.
This is the first visit in over six months by an official from Iran. Foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki was scheduled to visit India early last month, but the trip was cancelled due to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
Sources said India would have preferred not to have any visit from the Iran side at this stage due to the continuing nuclear stand off.
This visit was also initiated by the Iranians, much to the discomfort of South Block. Last time too, just before the IAEA vote, Iran had sent an emissary to India.
Until now Iran has rejected a Security Council request to suspend uranium enrichment by the August 31 deadline, which could lead to sanctions being imposed on Iran. Incidentally, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad challenged his US counterpart, George W Bush, to a television debate on the nuclear issue.
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