India has admirable record on implementing UN sanctions: US

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Jun 10 (PTI) Noting that India has an
admirable record in implementation of the UN Security Council
resolutions, a top US diplomat exuded confidence that New
Delhi would fully enforce the latest resolution against Iran
that imposes fresh economic sanctions against it.
"I think India's record on implementation of previous
Security Council resolutions has been an admirable one. I do
expect that India, as its leadership has made clear publicly,
will follow through and implement the new resolution," Bill
Burns, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs told
reporters here.
Responding to questions on the latest sanctions
slapped on Iran by the UN Security Council, Burns said it's
worth noting that India has voted three times in the IAEA
board of governors to hold Iran accountable for its failure to
meet its international obligations.
"Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh has also reinforced
on a number of occasions the fact that India shares
international concerns about a nuclear-armed Iran and the
obvious negative consequences that would have for a part of
the world that's very important to both of us as well as to
the global economy," Burns said in response to a question.
Iran was a one of the issues of discussions when
leaders of India and the US met for the first-ever Cabinet-
level Strategic Dialogue between the two countries.
"I think we have come to quite a good understanding
of where each other stands on this very, very important issue
for both of us," Robert Blake, Assistant Secretary of State
for South and Central Asia said on Tuesday.
"This was a subject of conversation during the
Strategic Dialogue but has also been a continuing part of our
conversation in every meeting that we have with our Indian
friends," he said.
"From our perspective, the most important thing has
been India's strong support in, first, observing all of the UN
Security Council obligations, but also the very important
votes that it has taken in the IAEA taking a strong stand
against Iran's nuclear weapons program," Blake said.
"India has explained to us that it has important links
with Iran, first of all because its transit into Afghanistan
is closed by Pakistan so it must use Iran to get many of its
goods, and indeed people, into Afghanistan through Iran. So
that's a very important part of their relations," he observed.
"The Indians also have a small but influential Shia
community inside India, which can be an important swing vote
in Indian elections. So they do have these civilisational ties
that they talk about," he noted. (MORE) PTI