Tasnim � India�s Minister of State for External Affairs Vijay Kumar Singh underlined that his country adopts independent policies towards Iran which would not come under the influence of the US.

In an interview with the Tasnim News Agency here on Tuesday, Kumar Singh commented about his country�s ties with Iran.

Asked about the impact of the US sanctions on the relations between Tehran and New Delhi, he said, �See, both Iran and India have to work together to find ways and means in which they can benefit each other.�

As regards India�s plans to seek more exemptions from the sanctions in future, Kumar Singh said, �What the United States does is what they want to do, but I think India and Iran can always find ways.�

As to whether India will be following independent policies, the minister underscored, �We have always followed independent policies.�

Prior to these comments, Vijay Kumar Singh announced in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif that India considers Iran not just as a trade partner, but also a neighbor with which it has security cooperation.

Heading a business and diplomatic delegation, Zarif arrived in India on Monday.

In his three-day visit, the top Iranian diplomat will hold meetings with top Indian officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and deliver a speech to a multilateral conference dubbed the Raisina Dialogue.