As the United States gathers support to impose fresh sanctions on Iran over its controversial nuclear programme, India on Saturday made clear its opposition to such a step, saying it would not solve the problem.
At the same time, India wants Iran to work with UN nuclear watchdog IAEA to convince the world that it is not seeking nuclear weapons as claimed by it.
"We are not sure sanctions are an answer. We don't think sanctions will solve the problem," sources said while articulating India's position on the moves by the US to garner support for fresh UN sanctions against Iran.
The US is currently holding talks with other permanent members of the UN Security Council for support on a resolution to impose fourth round of sanctions on Iran.
India opposes sanctions as it feels that these only impact common people. Noting that Iran has been saying that it is not seeking nuclear weapons, the sources said many countries across the world, however, are not convinced by it.
"The best way to reassure the world is to work with IAEA," they said.
India has always maintained that the controversy over Iran's nuclear programme should be addressed within the forum of IAEA rather than the UNSC.
About the perception that IAEA has lately hardened its stance vis-a-vis Iran's nuclear programme, the sources said exasperation may be setting in as the UN atomic watchdog has been involved in the matter for long and got no assurance.
