India should make its own decisions on ties with Iran: US
India should make its own decisions on the relationship with Iran based on its interests, a top US official has said, days after President Donald Trump threatened to terminate the landmark nuclear deal.
At the same time, the countries should take a hard look at their business partners in Iran, the senior Trump administration official said when asked about India developing the strategically located Chabahar port in Iran, which will give it access to Afghanistan and then to Central Asia.
"India should make its own decisions based on how it sees its interests," the official told PTI.
An agreement on the Chabahar port was inked by India and Iran in May 2016 after detailed discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
As per the pact, India is to equip and operate two berths in Chabahar Port Phase-I with capital investment of USD 85.21 million and annual revenue expenditure of USD 22.95 million on a 10-year lease. Ownership of equipment will be transferred to Iranian side on completion of the 10-year period or for an extended period, based on mutual agreement.
"What we're asking is for all countries to take a very hard look at who you're doing business with in Iran and to understand who are the beneficial owners of these companies," the US official said, warning against the business deals with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-controlled companies.
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