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India says its 'yes' vote to IAEA resolution not detracting from friendly relations with Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, Feb 4, IRNA
India-Iran-Vote
India today said the IAEA resolution for reporting Iran's nuclear issue to UN Security Council was "well-balanced" and asserted that its support to the move should "not be interpreted" as being "detracting from the traditionally close and friendly" relations with Tehran.

Shortly after the resolution was approved by the 35-member UN nuclear watchdog with 27 countries supporting it, External Affairs Ministry spokesman said the resolution has won a period of six weeks, before the March IAEA Board meeting for diplomatic efforts to continue and to get negotiations between the EU-3 and Iran back on track.

"It has been our consistent position that confrontation should be avoided and any outstanding issue ought to be resolved through dialogue," the MEA spokesman said.

He said the resolution provides an opportunity for serious consideration of the Russian proposal for a joint venture with Iran for uranium enrichment.

"Our vote in favour of the resolution should not be interpreted as in any way detracting from the traditionally close and friendly relations we enjoy with Iran," the spokesman said.

"The resolution is well-balanced," the spokesman said, adding several amendments suggested by Non-Aligned countries were accepted by the EU co-sponsors. "It is our conviction that our active role, along with other friendly countries, enabled the tabling of a resolution that recognises the right of Iran to peaceful uses of nuclear energy for its development, consistent with its international commitments and obligations, while keeping the door open for further dialogue aimed at resolving the outstanding issues within the purview of the IAEA," he said.

India called upon Iran to "respond positively to the requests from the IAEA Board to restore the confidence building measures it had voluntarily adopted in the Paris Agreement, and continue to cooperate with the IAEA in resolving any outstanding issues related to its nuclear programme.

The MEA spokesman noted that while there will be a "report" to the Security Council, the Iran nuclear issue remains within the purview of the IAEA.

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