BRIC countries for more diplomacy on Iran

As the UN Security Council appears set to impose fresh sanctions against Iran, the BRIC countries -- India, Russia, China and Brazil -- have made it clear that the punitive action would not help solve the issue of the nuclear programme and the path of diplomacy should be pursued to address it.

 The Iran issue was discussed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Brazilian President Lula Da Silva at the Summit meeting here under the Brazil-Russia-India-China (BRIC) format for the first time yesterday.

 All the four leaders were of the opinion that sanctions are not the answer to Iran's nuclear issue as these punitive actions hurt only the common people while the establishment feels no impact, sources said.

 "It (Iran issue) came up for discussion at the BRIC summit. There was free and frank exchange (over the issue)," Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said.

 He said India's position on the issue is clear and the Prime Minister had said that there is a need for resolving the issue.

 The Summit was also of the view that Iran has the right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

However, the BRIC leaders said Iran has the obligation to adhere to its international commitments and address fears of the international community over its nuclear programme and underlined that the country should cooperate with IAEA and UN Security Council.

 Iran, a signatory of the NPT, has been saying that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes but the international community doubts that and feels that it is developing a bomb.

 The sources said fresh sanctions against Iran looked imminent as there is a growing feeling in the international community that negotiations are not making progress.

 Singh has already conveyed to US President Barack Obama that no sanctions should be imposed that would affect the common people of Iran.

 There is an understanding in the Indian government that the new sanctions may be only financial and not target commodities.

 The UNSC has already imposed three sanctions against Iran.

 The text of the sanctions resolution is said to be under study by the permanent five members of the Security Council.