Rubio’s remarks got here after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the twenty sixth Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the place the 2 leaders mentioned bilateral ties, commerce and the prevailing state of affairs in West Asia.
Talking to Brian Kilmeade on The Brian Kilmeade Present on Tuesday when requested concerning the assembly and whether or not India and Iran had been organising some type of commerce deal, Rubio mentioned, “Properly, I do not suppose there is a commerce deal between India and Iran.”
Additionally Learn: “We want to expand and diversify our trade basket”: PM Modi after meeting Iran President Pezeshkian in Bishkek
The State Secretary additional acknowledged that international locations develop their very own overseas insurance policies and famous that a number of international locations preserve contact with the Iranian regime.
“Clearly, there are – international locations all develop their very own overseas coverage, and plenty of international locations all over the world speak to the Iranian regime,” Rubio mentioned.
He, nonetheless, confused the US place that international locations mustn’t help Iran in circumventing sanctions.”I feel what finally occurs, although, is – and the President’s been very clear – is not any nation ought to be serving to Iran evade sanctions,” Rubio mentioned.
“No nation ought to be on the market serving to them create mechanisms by which they will generate income that they may then use to sponsor terrorism and attempt to construct a nuclear weapon,” he added.
Additionally Learn: India joins talks to set up SCO Development Bank
Rubio warned that international locations selecting to facilitate such mechanisms may themselves face US sanctions.
“And if international locations determine to try this, then we’ll must sanction them too,” the US Secretary of State mentioned.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his assembly with Iran President Pezeshkian, reiterated India’s dedication to strengthening its long-standing friendship with Tehran and mentioned New Delhi wished to develop and diversify bilateral commerce.
“Met President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek. Reiterated our dedication to strengthening India’s long-standing friendship with Iran throughout various sectors. We need to develop and diversify our commerce basket within the instances to return,” PM Modi mentioned in a submit on X following the meet.
The Prime Minister additionally mentioned the 2 leaders mentioned the prevailing state of affairs within the area and reiterated India’s assist for efforts aimed toward making certain lasting peace.
The Ministry of Exterior Affairs mentioned the assembly was “fruitful”, with the 2 leaders reviewing bilateral ties and up to date developments in West Asia.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal mentioned PM Modi reiterated India’s constant place that points within the area ought to be resolved via “dialogue and diplomacy” and underlined the necessity for continued efforts to make sure peace and stability.
“Prime Minister additionally underlined the necessity for continued efforts to make sure peace and stability within the area and for safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce,” Jaiswal mentioned.
The discussions additionally targeted on the safety of economic delivery and the protection of seafarers and civilians amid the continued West Asia battle.
PM Modi additionally reiterated India’s readiness to cooperate carefully with Iran in multilateral organisations, together with BRICS and the SCO, and conveyed that he seemed ahead to welcoming Pezeshkian to India for the BRICS Summit scheduled in New Delhi from September 12 to September 13.
Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi and different senior Iranian delegates had been additionally current through the bilateral assembly.
