India and China on Wednesday indicated that they would continue to maintain normal relations with Iran, while citing high crude oil prices and energy security concerns.

The Chinese Commerce Minister, Mr Chen Deming, said China respected all the United Nations resolutions. However, in a veiled reference to the US sanctions on Iran, he added that Beijing was not obliged to follow the domestic rules and regulations of any particular country. He was talking to reporters after the meeting of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Trade Ministers, ahead of the summit on Thursday.

Incidentally, China, India and South Africa are dependent on Iran for crude oil supplies. Brazil and Russia also raised concerns over the increase in crude oil prices following the sanctions being imposed on Iran by the US and European Union.

The Commerce, Industry and Textiles Minister, Mr Anand Sharma, confirmed that US sanctions on Iran were discussed during the meeting.

Echoing the Chinese Commerce Minister, Mr Sharma also maintained that India was also not violating any UN resolutions.

“Energy security is important. Iran is an important source of our energy supplies,” he said, and added that India looked at the issue in a pragmatic manner while remaining within the ambit of UN resolutions.

Mr Chen Deming said China should develop its own relations with all other countries, including Iran, while honouring the UN resolutions. He referred to the current high crude oil and commodity prices affecting the world economy as well as China.

The Chinese Minister said while dealing with political issues, all nations must ensure revival of the world economy. “If crude oil prices continue to rise, it will not be good news for the world,” he warned.

>arun.s@thehindu.co.in

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