The growing tension between the US and Iran is a cause of concern for India as it has a long and legitimate interest in maintaining stability as well as peace in the region and the issue will be discussed with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday, an official said.

India is also engaging with the US on alternatives for oil imports in view of the US sanction on Iran and this, too, will feature prominently in Pompeo’s meeting with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar on Wednesday, the official said.

“We are engaging with the US on alternatives of oil imports in view of US sanction on Iran. India’s decision will be guided by its security needs,” the official said.

Pompeo, who is arriving in Delhi on Tuesday evening, will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday morning before his bilateral with Jaishankar.

On the escalating tension between Iran and the US, with both countries issuing fresh threats to each other, the official said that the US will be urged to do its bit in cooling down the matter. “The situation in the region is a matter of concern for us not only because of what is happening there but also due to the Diaspora that we have there. We have strong and legitimate interest in maintaining stability and peace in the region. We will speak to Secretary Pompeo about this serious matter,” the official said.

India has also been speaking to the Iranians and asking both sides to de-escalate and refrain from any action, he added.

On US’ views against India’s S-400 missile deal with Russia, the official said that Washington has been given the message that India will honour it. “We have a long-standing defence relationship with Russia. US is well aware of the system and as to why India has gone ahead with the S-400 deal,” the official said.

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