India, Iran resolve oil payment issue; payment via Turkey's Halkbank

01 Aug 2011 Evaluate

The seven month dispute over the issue of oil payment between India and Iran is heading to solution after the successful test payment in euro via Turkey’s Halkbank; Indian refiners are expected to pay over $5 billion of debts built up with Iran during a lengthy US inspired payment impasse.

The Managing Director of National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Ahmad Qalebani said, “After crucial talks between India and Iran, both the sides agreed to clear the debt promptly, and in the coming days, part of India’s oil debt will be cleared and the rest will be gradually settled.” Another senior official of NIOC, Mohsen Qamsari, Director, International Affairs, NIOC, said,  “With the start of international banks working hours on Monday, the amounts deposited by the Indians in the designated accounts will be known.”

Earlier, the Iranian oil firm NIOC had increased the pressure on Indian importers by not supplying scheduled oil in August, prompting Indian refiners to look for alternative sources such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait.  Iran supplies around 12% of total imports of crude oil of India, and India is the second highest importer of oil from Iran. The two ways trade between Indian and Iran is around $12 billion mainly dominated by petroleum product however, the balance of trade is in Iran’s favour with India buying around 4 lakh barrels of Iranian crude oil per day. 

The oil payment dispute occurred after the RBI stopping the use of clearing system of regional central banks, under the pressure from US, which is looking to isolate Iran on the issue of its nuclear programme. This has increased the uncertainty over the supply of crude to India refiners.     

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