Iran oil on agenda of talks with US

Officials to discuss joint efforts in region and a pact on encrypted defence technologies

Key trade and defence issues, including India’s proposed purchase of the S-400 defence system from Russia and oil imports from Iran against the backdrop of sanctions on these countries, are expected to be at the centre of strategic talks between India and the United States today.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis will also discuss cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and a pact on encrypted defence technologies with their Indian counterparts Sushma Swaraj and Nirmala Sitharaman when the four meet for the inaugural 2+2 dialogue — first scheduled in April and then in June and postponed on both occasions.

Russian defence system

Informed sources said among the issues to figure prominently in the talks would be India’s plan to buy five Russian-made S-400 Triumf advanced air defence systems despite US sanctions against Moscow. The Rs400 billion deal is almost ready.

Since the US has banned the import of Iranian oil, the sources said, New Delhi will seek a waiver from Washington to let it continue buy crude from India’s third largest oil supplier after Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The sanctions on the import of Iranian petroleum products will be effective from November 4.

Cooperation in the IndoPacific region and counterterrorism efforts will also figure among a host of issues in New Delhi’s biggest diplomatic engagement with Washington this year. The US desperately wants India to take a lead role in the strategic Indo-Pacific region to keep China in check.