2+2 dialogue: Palpable tension in India-US talks as Iran oil sanctions loom

The US has said it would impose economic sanctions on India unless it significantly reduces purchases of oil from Iran and cancels a planned $6 bn purchase of S-400 anti-aircraft missiles from Russia

The US and India were unlikely to reach a deal on Iranian oil imports during Secretary of State Michael Pompeo’s visit to New Delhi despite “very detailed” talks taking place on Thursday, according to a senior State Department official.

The official, who asked not to be identified speaking before Pompeo’s talks with senior Indian officials, said the conversations will continue ahead of the Trump administration’s Nov. 4 deadline for countries to halt Iranian oil imports or face sanctions. The official declined to give further details about where the talks stand.

Pompeo is in Delhi with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis for a day-long