Washington. US Foreign Minister Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that he does not think that any trade agreement is being discussed between India and Iran. He said that many countries of the world talk to the government of Iran. Rubio made this comment in response to a question regarding the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek. This question was asked to him on Fox News Radio's 'The Brian Kilmeade Show'.
During the program, presenter Brian Kilmeade said that in the meeting between PM Modi and Pejeshkian, it seemed as if preparations were being made for a trade agreement between the two countries. In response, Rubio said, “Well, I don't think there is any trade agreement between India and Iran. Obviously, all countries decide their own foreign policies and many countries of the world negotiate with the government of Iran.”
What action will America take against countries that help Iran?
The US Secretary of State said, “I mean, we have also met with some people from the Iranian government. We have had conversations and contact with them regarding some of the discussions.” Rubio said President Donald Trump has made it clear that no country should help Iran evade US sanctions.
He said, “No country should help them in creating such mechanisms through which they can raise revenue and then use it to promote terrorism and try to make nuclear weapons. And if countries decide to do this, then we will have to impose sanctions on them too.”
Why did Pejeshkian meet PM Modi?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pejeshkian on August 31 in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. According to the report of Iran's semi-government agency, during the meeting, both sides took stock of the current situation of mutual relations and stressed the need to strengthen mutual cooperation between Iran and India in areas important to both the countries.
Amidst the West Asia crisis, communication has been maintained between the two top leaders. In June, there was a phone conversation between PM Modi and Pejeshkian, in which the Iranian President briefed the Indian PM about the events happening in West Asia and the way forward. During the talks, PM Modi welcomed the consensus reached to end the conflict and reiterated the need for sustained efforts for lasting peace and stability.