NEW DELHI: India welcomed Iran's historic nuclear deal with six global powers which will lead to lifting of sanctions against the Gulf country having world's third-largest oil and gas reserves, in return for curbs on its nuclear programme.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said India has always maintained the nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully through dialogue, terming the deal a "welcome development".
"While we wait to see the text of the agreement reached between Iran and the EU 3+3 in Vienna today, we welcome the successful conclusion of negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue."
The deal, finalised between Iran and six global powers - the US, China, Russia, France, the UK and Germany - is seen as a major landmark as it will help Iran its economic recovery and attract investment into its oil and gas sector.
"India has always maintained that the issue should be resolved peacefully through dialogue by respecting Iran's right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy while upholding the international community's strong interest in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme," the spokesperson said.
He said the International Atomic Energy Agency has an important role, which has been underlined by the agreement between Iran and the agency on a road map for the clarification of past and present outstanding issues.
"This too is a welcome development," said Swarup. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had an "excellent" meeting recently on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Ufa where issues of energy cooperation and connectivity were discussed.