Will stand by Iran, but have to protect India’s interests: Dharmendra Pradhan

NEW DELHI: Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday described Iran as India’s “old friend” and said New Delhi will continue to stand with Tehran but will also protect its own economic interest.

“India stood with Iran during its difficult days and will continue to do so in future also. But at the same time we also expect our economic interests to be protected,” Pradhan said addressing an industry function here. Pradhan was referring to India securing waiver from the US to continue buying Iranian crude throughout the western on the Persian Gulf country.

Pradhan’s comments came in the backdrop of reports quoting Iranian minister Bijan Zanganeh about a preliminary agreement with Russian major Gazprom for Farzad-B field discovered by an Indian consortium.Referring to the PM’s approach to bilateral relationships with other countries, Pradhan said India will stand as an equal with others and not be subservient to anyone. Farzad-B negotiations have been in a stalemate since the field’s discovery in 2008. India has blamed Iran’s flip-flop over the terms of an agreement for the delay, while Tehran holds the Indian consortium’s offer as “unsatisfactory”.