NEW DELHI, 18 February 2006 — Defending India’s vote against Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tried assuring parliamentarians yesterday that this would not be allowed to cast a shadow on New Delhi’s “valuable relationship” with Tehran.
He also expressed that India would support diplomatic efforts in the run-up to the IAEA meeting in March to reach an amicable solution on the issue. He was making a statement on Iran in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament) to counter criticism voiced by several parties, including the left bloc, the Samajwadi Party and others on New Delhi’s stand against Iran at the IAEA meeting.
With this being a “sensitive issue” involving rights and international obligations of a sovereign nation, Manmohan said it should be addressed through “calm, reasoned diplomacy and the willingness on all sides to eschew confrontation and seek acceptable compromise solutions.”
Defending India’s IAEA vote against Iran’s nuclear program, the prime minister said it was based on “objectives of upholding Iran’s rights and obligations and our security concerns arising from proliferation.” Expressing the need for Iran to exercise obligations under guidelines of the IAEA, Manmohan said: “India cannot turn a blind eye to security implication of the proliferation.”
However, Iran has the legal right to build peaceful nuclear energy, Manmohan said.
The premier also categorically asserted that India’s IAEA-vote would not detract bilateral ties with Iran. “India values the relationship with Iran which needs to be nurtured.” Manmohan said: “The vote at IAEA does not detract from friendly ties with Iran.” The prime minister also said that India remained committed to the proposed Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline. “Let me reiterate in this context that we are committed to the proposed Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline.”
Earlier, while discussing the project with visiting Pakistani Oil Minister Amanullah Khan Jadoon, Manmohan voiced strong support for the 2,100-km pipeline project. Indian Oil Minister Murli Deora also participated in the meeting.
Later, Deora told reporters: “The prime minister said the pipeline is very important for the economic progress of India, Iran and Pakistan and he is confident that the pipeline will come through.”
Against the backdrop of former Oil Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar having actively pursued the project, his removal from the ministry had given rise to speculation about the government backtracking on the project. Manmohan’s statement in Parliament and his discussions with Deora and Jadoon have, however, reaffirmed India’s commitment to the project. Besides, India is now interested in participating in the pipeline’s construction also. This is being regarded as a major development as earlier India was contemplating purchase of the gas at its border, without participating in the pipeline’s construction.
Since taking charge, this is Deora’s first ministerial level engagement on the pipeline project. The focus of Deora-Jadoon talks has been on evolving a joint strategy for negotiating gas price with Iran and a project structure. This bilateral meeting is a precursor to a trilateral meeting in March or April.
The pipeline plan will come under more scrutiny next month when US President George W. Bush visits New Delhi. The United States, concerned over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, has publicly opposed the project.
Washington sees India as a strategic ally and is seeking Indian support to isolate Tehran.
In a dramatic policy shift last year, Bush promised India full cooperation in developing its civilian nuclear power program as long as it placed its civilian reactors under international inspections.
But even so, Indian officials say the country needs to explore other sources of energy for its rapidly expanding economy including accessing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and building pipelines from Iran, Myanmar or Turkmenistan.
— Additional input from agencies
