India's ties with Iran can't be affected under any influence: Govt

Thu, Jul 3 10:01 AM

New Delhi, July 2 (PTI) Government today made it clear that India's age-old ties with Iran would not be affected "under any influence or pressure" and that New Delhi's policy would be dictated only by its "enlightened self-interest". The assertion was made by the Prime Minister's Office after Samajwadi Party leaders Amar Singh and Ram Gopal Yadav raised questions on the issue during their meeting with National Security Adviser M K Narayanan.

"It was clarified that our relations with Iran were time-honoured and civilisational in nature and no outside influence or pressure could force India to deviate from this path," the PMO said in a press release after the meeting. "India is not under any pressure, nor can it be pressurised to follow a course of action that is not dictated by our enlightened self-interest," it said.

It noted that India and Iran have recently taken several initiatives, including one relating to the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, which "epitomises the nature and importance of the relationship, something that was strongly re-inforced during the visit of President (Mahmoud) Ahmedinejad to Delhi in April." Narayanan, who returned after a two-day visit to Iran earlier in the day, pointed out that there have been other meetings between the ministers and officials of the two countries.

Referring to Narayanan's visit to Iran, it said he had a "very productive meeting" with the Iranian leadership, including the President, during which the pipeline issue and economic matters were discussed. PTI.

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