Sushma Swaraj Asks Mike Pompeo to Allow India to Import Oil From Iran, Says 'Give Time Till Lok Sabha Elections 2019'

New Delhi, April 30: Union Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj on Saturday spoke with her United States' counterpart Mike Pompeo stating him to allow India to import Iranian crude for some more time. The minister sought flexibility in US sanctions on Iranian oil imports, however, America’s top diplomat was non-committal.

According to the report, published in the Hindustan Times, during the telephonic conversation with Pompeo, Swaraj said that the sanctions be relaxed till the Lok Sabha Elections 2019 are in place in India. She added that the final decision on importing oil from Iran or not would be taken by the next government. US Sanctions on Iran: South Korea to Seek Alternate Sources of Oil Imports 

Explaining India's political and economic conditions to Pompeo and sought some relaxation as making immediate arrangements for 23.5 million tonnes of oil, Swaraj made it clear to the United States counterpart that the scenario is not as easy as America is trying to analyse right now.

But, diplomats - known to the issue - stated that Pompeo did not make any commitment and told EAM the matter was no longer handled at his level. Adding more, Pompeo said that the decision had been made by the US administration to strictly enforce sanctions.

It is to be known that India gets about 10% of its oil supplies from Iran on concessional terms, out of the 80% of the crude oil it processes from imports. India - along with China, Italy, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey - was granted US exemptions in November last year, which ends on May 2.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 30, 2019 12:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).