India, Iran bolstering energy ties

Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi is in India for talks.

Qasemi's three-day visit will see him discuss with Indian officials ways to enhance ties in different fields of energy. Qasemi said Iran considers India has notable potentials to meet its oil industry's needs in equipment.

Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai said notwithstanding severe economic sanctions slapped by the U.S. and the UN against Iran, India will continue to buy oil from “vital supplier” Iran.

“We will continue to buy oil from Iran,” Mathai said.

India is among Asia’s major importers of energy, and relies on Iran to satisfy a portion of its energy requirements.

India has reiterated that it will not halt its oil imports from Iran despite the U.S.-engineered sanctions against the Islamic Republic’s oil sector.