Prime Minister Narendra Modi Conveys India’s Concerns Over Iran Issue To US Donald Trump

Osaka (Japan): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday conveyed to US President Donald Trump concerns over tensions in the Persian Gulf related to Iran, saying “instability” in the region affects India in “many ways” besides the energy aspect. The two leaders agreed that they and their officials will continuously remain in touch to ensure that the region remains stable, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said at a media briefing. The Iran issue, along with 5G, trade and defence relations, was raised by Modi with Trump during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit here. “So far as Iran was concerned, the Prime Minister outlined our energy concerns as well as our concerns regarding peace and stability in the region,” the Foreign Secretary said.

“On Iran, the primary focus was how we ensure stability in that region. It is that instability affects us in many ways, not just in terms our energy needs but in terms of the very large diaspora that we have in the Gulf — eight million Indians in the Gulf region and economic interests,” he added. He said it is in the interest of India and the US that the region remains stable.

Giving details of Modi’s meeting with Trump, Gokhale said the Prime Minister told the US President that India had reduced oil imports from Iran, which supplied 11 per cent of India’s energy. He said India had done this despite the effect it had on its economy. Talking about India’s concerns over instability in the region, Gokhale said India also has its diaspora present there, has energy requirements there and has economic interests there. “Therefore, it is in India’s fundamental interest to ensure peace and stability of the region,” the Foreign secretary said. (IANS)

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