CONTEXT:

• India has stopped importing oil from Iran after American waivers granted to eight buyers expired early this month.
• This was stated by Indian Ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla at a news conference in Washington.

BACKGROUND:

• New Delhi understands that the move was a priority for the US, although it comes at a cost as India really needs to find alternative sources of energy.
• India depends heavily on West Asia for its energy needs and is against any further escalation of tension in the region.
• The Indian envoy added that he was confident that US sanctions would not affect its partnership in developing Iran’s Chabahar port.
• The Chabahar port is a lifeline for Afghanistan that provides both humanitarian assistance and supplies to the war-torn country.