New Delhi: With US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking India not to import oil from Iran, a Samajwadi Party member on Wednesday raised serious concern over the US "interference" in internal affairs of the country and sought a clarification from the Government on the issue.
Raising the matter during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) said Hillary Clinton has asked India not to import oil from Iran and asked the Chair to give directions to the Government to clarify the position.
"This is a straight conspiracy to influence the foreign policy of the country. Iran is a friendly country, always in favour of India. Will US Foreign Secretary tell India about whom it should have relations and whom not. This is a serious matter and issue of concern," he said.
Yadav alleged that the foreign and internal policy of the country is being influenced through pressure, saying the BPCL and HPCL have reduced the import of oil from Iran. "Has it not already affected the policy of import from Iran?" posed.
D Raja (CPI), Sitaram Yechury, Tapan Sen and Prasanta Chatterjee (all CPI-M) associated themselves with the issue and sought a debate.
Earlier, when the House met for the day, Yadav said he has given a notice for suspension of Question Hour on the issue.
"This is interference in India`s internal affairs as well as trying to spoil our relations with Iran," he said calling it a US conspiracy.
Shivanand Tiwari (JD-U) also said the House should pass a resolution condemning US "arrogance".
Chairman Hamid Ansari asked the members to raise the issue in Zero Hour.
PTI
