Raveesh Kumar made the remarks in response to a question about India’s approach to US sanctions on Iran oil exports which was put forward by IRNA correspondent in New Delhi on the sidelines of his weekly press conference.
Kumar said that he could not make any certain point with regard to the waivers as “New Delhi has not received any official statement from the United States in that regard.”
He added that the Americans are well aware of India's need for oil. Oil is vital for continuing India’s economic growth, he said.
The Indian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman further said that India is aware of the US’s stance as it has been announced by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, adding the United States has announced that the anti-Iran sanctions are not aimed at hurting India.
“We will continue our engagement with the United States and other parties to ensure energy security as well as the national interests of India,” Kumar noted.
His remarks came as officials in New Delhi say the US has agreed to grant India a waiver from Iran sanctions so that the country would be able to maintain imports of crude oil from the Islamic Republic.
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