US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said he does not believe India and Iran are currently negotiating a trade deal, while warning countries against helping Tehran bypass US sanctions.
Rubio made the remarks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Speaking on The Brian Kilmeade Show, Rubio was asked whether Modi’s meeting with Pezeshkian indicated that India and Iran were working towards a new trade arrangement.
“I don’t think there’s a trade deal between India and Iran,” Rubio said. He added that countries formulate their own foreign policies and noted that several nations continue to maintain diplomatic contact with the Iranian government.
However, Rubio stressed that Washington expects countries not to help Iran evade US sanctions or establish mechanisms that could provide revenue to Tehran.
He said US President Donald Trump had been clear that no country should assist Iran in bypassing sanctions. According to Rubio, any mechanisms that generate revenue for Tehran could be used to support activities that Washington considers a threat, including terrorism and the development of nuclear weapons.
Rubio warned that countries found helping Iran circumvent US sanctions could themselves face sanctions from the United States.
Meanwhile, India has described its relationship with Iran as long-standing and said it wants to expand bilateral trade.
After meeting Pezeshkian, Prime Minister Modi said India remained committed to strengthening its friendship with Iran across various sectors. He also expressed India's intention to expand and diversify the bilateral trade basket.
The two leaders discussed regional developments, particularly the situation in West Asia, and efforts to establish lasting peace. India reiterated its position that regional disputes should be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions also focused on maintaining peace and stability in the region and protecting freedom of navigation and commerce.
The safety of commercial shipping, seafarers and civilians was also discussed amid the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region.
Modi further said India was ready to work closely with Iran in multilateral forums such as BRICS and the SCO. He also extended an invitation to Pezeshkian to visit India for the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials were present during the meeting.
The developments highlight the delicate balance India faces in maintaining its strategic and economic ties with Iran while navigating US sanctions and broader geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
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