09-29-2005, 01:08 AM
<b><span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>Deals with India on, friends not be judged by one action: Iran</span></b>
<b>Indicating that there was no bitterness in Tehran over India's vote against it in IAEA, Iran tonight said bilateral agreements, including LNG and gas pipeline projects, <span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>are "still in force", maintaining that a "friend" should not be judged by a "single action".</span></b>
A day after Iran threatened to review its economic ties with all 22 countries that voted against its nuclear programme, its Embassy issued a statement here saying that its agreements with India were "passing through normal process".
"Regarding the news published in a section of media about the possibility of the LNG deal and the gas pipeline project being called off, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran declares that the agreements arrived at between the two countries are still in force and passing through their normal process," the statement said.
<b>Quoting Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, the statement said he described India as a "friend" but added that "we did not expect India to do so (vote with the resolution at the IAEA).
"(But) I believe friends should not be judged by a single action." Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, said "Iran enjoys friendly relations with India." Quoting Larijani, it said the resolution passed by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) against Iran "lacks legal foundation" and that Tehran expects the member states to review the resolution.
The Embassy statement puts at rest speculation about the five-million tonne a year LNG export deal beginning 2009 and the 21 billion dollar gas pipeline project from Iran to India being scrapped by Iran in view of India's vote. Earlier, the government also asserted that it has not been given any indication by Tehran to review its long-standing cooperation which was in the interest of both countries.</b>
"We have been given no indication in interactions (with Iranian officials) of Iran's intentions to review its long-standing and extensive cooperation with India which is of benefit to and in the interest of both countries," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej said in response to questions.
Sarna said Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran had yesterday explained the background to India's decision during a meeting with Iranian Ambassador S Z Yaghoubi.
The importance which India attaches to maintaining traditionally close relations with Iran have also been reiterated, he said.
Cheers
<b>Indicating that there was no bitterness in Tehran over India's vote against it in IAEA, Iran tonight said bilateral agreements, including LNG and gas pipeline projects, <span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>are "still in force", maintaining that a "friend" should not be judged by a "single action".</span></b>
A day after Iran threatened to review its economic ties with all 22 countries that voted against its nuclear programme, its Embassy issued a statement here saying that its agreements with India were "passing through normal process".
"Regarding the news published in a section of media about the possibility of the LNG deal and the gas pipeline project being called off, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran declares that the agreements arrived at between the two countries are still in force and passing through their normal process," the statement said.
<b>Quoting Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, the statement said he described India as a "friend" but added that "we did not expect India to do so (vote with the resolution at the IAEA).
"(But) I believe friends should not be judged by a single action." Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, said "Iran enjoys friendly relations with India." Quoting Larijani, it said the resolution passed by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) against Iran "lacks legal foundation" and that Tehran expects the member states to review the resolution.
The Embassy statement puts at rest speculation about the five-million tonne a year LNG export deal beginning 2009 and the 21 billion dollar gas pipeline project from Iran to India being scrapped by Iran in view of India's vote. Earlier, the government also asserted that it has not been given any indication by Tehran to review its long-standing cooperation which was in the interest of both countries.</b>
"We have been given no indication in interactions (with Iranian officials) of Iran's intentions to review its long-standing and extensive cooperation with India which is of benefit to and in the interest of both countries," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej said in response to questions.
Sarna said Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran had yesterday explained the background to India's decision during a meeting with Iranian Ambassador S Z Yaghoubi.
The importance which India attaches to maintaining traditionally close relations with Iran have also been reiterated, he said.
Cheers