India appreciate US’ move to provide exemption from sanctions on Iranian oil purchase
On Friday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar appreciated the decision of the United States to provide exemption under Iran sanctions with respect to the development of Chabahar Port saying that US recognizes the role of Chabahar port in bringing long term benefits to Afghanistan.
Raveesh Kumar said, “We have seen the US notification including India in the list of countries granted Significant Reduction Exemption for continued purchase of Iranian crude oil without attracting US sanctions. We appreciate the US government has taken into account our need for energy security. India is a major importer of crude from Iran and it is very important for our energy security requirement”.
The spokesperson said, “We have taken note of the US statement that exception has been provided under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 with respect to the development of Chabahar port and the construction of an associate railway line. We appreciate that the US recognizes the role which this port will play to bring strategic and long term benefits to Afghanistan”.
We are looking at the details of the exemption(from US sanctions on Iran) given to India, we appreciate that USA has shown understanding towards our position: Raveesh Kumar, MEA pic.twitter.com/iL6XHOIh9C
— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2018
Second phase sanctions on Iran implemented with full force from November 5, 2018, that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described as the toughest sanctions ever and vowed to bring down the Iranian oil export to zero soon. After sanctions were implemented, the State department spokesperson said that US has provided India an exemption from sanctions with respect to Chabahar Port and the Railway line to connect Afghanistan and this exemption relates to the reconstruction and economic development of Afghanistan.
The spokesperson said, “After extensive consideration, the Secretary (of State) has provided for an exception from imposition of certain sanctions under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012, with respect to the development of Chabahar Port, construction of an associated railway and for shipment of non-sanctionable goods through the port for Afghanistan’s use, as well as the country’s continued imports of Iranian petroleum products”