IRAN SANCTIONS ACT: INDIA: DO NOT SINGLE US OUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 000213 SIPDIS STATE PASS EEB/ESC/TFS AND NEA/IR E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/19/2020 TAGS: ENRG EPET ETTC PREL IN SUBJECT: IRAN SANCTIONS ACT: INDIA: DO NOT SINGLE US OUT REF: SECSTATE 2957 Classified By: EEST Minister Counselor, Blair Hall for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) ¶1. (c) Embassy delivered reftel points on the major development deal pending between Iran and Indian petroleum majors Oil and Natural Gas Company of India (ONGC) and Hinduja to Siddhartha Nath, External Affairs Under Secretary for Afghanistan and Iran and to Vani Rao, External Affairs Americas Division Director, on January 19 and February 1, respectively. Both Nath and Rao responded that India had a long-standing history of trade with Iran, which is important to India's energy security. Both noted that India's trade with Iran is dwarfed by that of China, Russia and other European countries; adding that India did not want to be singled out. They agreed to convey our concerns to all appropriate parties, in both government and the private sector, and get back to us with further information. ¶2. (c) Both Nath and Rao were eager to underscore India's commitment to supporting IAEA and UNSC obligations and to using diplomatic means to secure the transparency of Iran's nuclear development program. Neither was aware of press reports that the GOI had weighed in to encourage the Indian gas companies to work within a consortium, as opposed to form a joint venture, on the Iranian South Pars Gas Field expansion project. ¶3. (c) In discussing the likelihood of stiffer sanctions emerging from pending Congressional legislation, Rao asked that in the future the GOI be accorded the opportunity to take part in pre-sanction consultations. Rao noted that other nations enjoy this level of engagement and, given the disproportionate impact that Iran sanctions have on India,s energy security, she asked that India be given the opportunity to discuss the economic consequences of sanctions prior to future determinations being made. ACTION REQUEST: Post requests points from the Department with which to respond to this GOI request. ROEMER