Our markets are always open to 'good friend' India: Iranian diplomat

Sanctions-hit Iran on Friday said its lucrative market was always open for "good friend" India but made it clear that there will be "some limitations" on its part if the country keeps looking towards the United States.

At the same time, Iran also said it understands India's constraints in engaging with it due to influence from the US but left it to New Delhi to decide on what kind of relationship it wants with Tehran.

"We have long and friendly relations with India. We can continue to be friends. We can try to materialise this potential. But if India keeps moving towards Washington then there will be some limitations for us," a senior Iranian functionary told journalists during an interaction here.

Asked if Iran thought India was moving towards the US, Mostafa Dolatyar, a career diplomat, who is director-general of Institute of Political and International Studies and Member of the nuclear negotiating team, said, "That has already been done".

Dolatyar, who held talks with officials of the ministry of external affairs, found fault with India for not utilising the "lucrative Iranian market" which is always open for any country, including the US, and especially "good friends" like India.

"When American products can find their way into our markets, why can't Indian products do so. They (India) have to find a way. It is not the fault of the Iranian government because despite sanctions American products continue to be sold in the country," he said.

The top official, however, did not give a direct answer if the Indian side indicated that its oil imports from Iran would further decrease in the coming year. Terming US' presence in Afghanistan as a "headache" to the region, he said it has no "positive role" to play in the rebuilding of the war-torn nation.

To a question, Dolatyar said Iran understands limitations of India when it came to New Delhi's dependence on Washington. "India is a developing country. We know their limitations. We are not living in Mars. We are living on earth."

On US-India cooperation in Afghanistan, Dolatyar hailed any kind of role by India in the redevelopment of Afghanistan but was highly sceptical of US engagement in the process. "If India wants to do something substantive we are fine with it. Because Afghanistan is in India's immediate neighbourhood. But we have doubts as far as American involvement is concerned," he said.

Noting that Iran warned the US and other countries against invading Afghanistan and Iraq, he said, "They never listened to us and now they are paying the price. There is no improvement in situations in both countries."

On Syria, the Iranian career diplomat said the immediate need was that both the Government and Opposition come together and chart the future course of action.