India, Russia against unilateral sanctions on Iran

India and Russia Friday warned against unilateral sanctions on Iran, in an apparent reference to actions taken by US and other Western nations, and advocated the use of political and diplomatic means to resolve the tensions arising out of Tehran's nuclear programme.

In a joint statement issued after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and    Russian President Dmitry Medvedev held summit talks here, the two countries voiced concern over the situation emerging around Iran's nuclear programme.

While recognising the inherent right of states to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, India and Russia stressed the need for all states to comply with their respective obligations on non-proliferation.

The joint statement supported a comprehensive and long-term settlement of the situation exclusively through political and diplomatic means by promoting dialogue.

In this context, they also noted that unilateral sanctions could be counter-productive, a veiled reference to US action.

The two countries while recognising Iran's right to develop research, produce and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in conformity with international obligations urged that country to comply with the provisions of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and extend full cooperation to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Iran claims that its nuclear programme is for purely peaceful purposes.