No indication from Iran on review of economic and trade ties: Indian foreign office

India Wednesday said that it did not get any signal from Iran, suggesting review of economic and trade ties in the wake of India openly siding with US and voting in favor of the resolution on the Iranian nuclear cooperation program at the IAEA.

"We have been given no indication in these interactions 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, Indian foreign office spokesperson, Navtej Sarna said Wednesday while stating that India's foreign secretary Shyam Saran Tuesday explained the background to India's decision during a meeting with Iranian ambassador S Z Yaghoubi.

Indian government's reaction came following reported remarks of the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hamid Raza Asefi Tuesday that Iran was very surprised by India, and it could reconsider its economic cooperation, economic ties with the different countries who have acted in this regard rather hostile.

On reports that India's envoy in Vienna had been told by his Iranian counterpart that the 21-billion dollar deal to supply liquefied natural gas from Iran, from 2009, is off, the spokesman said India was aware of the remarks.

Asefi also reportedly said Iran would send a letter of objection to the countries that voted for the resolution.

However, Indian government contends that its decision to support the resolution was aimed at averting a major confrontation between Iran and the international community.

Source: Xinhua