We don146;t need US lecture on dealing with Iran: India

In an unusually sharp reaction to the US counsel on New Delhi8217;s dealing with Iran, India said on Tuesday, it does not need 8220;any guidance8221; on its conduct of relations with the Persian country as both the nations are 8220;perfectly capable8221; of managing all aspects of their ties.

8220;India and Iran are ancient civilisations whose relations span centuries. Both nations are perfectly capable of managing all aspects of their relationship with the appropriate degree of care and attention,8221; External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said.

He was reacting to US State Department8217;s remarks that Washington expected India to tell Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad during his visit here next week to meet the UN Security Council resolution on its nuclear programme.

8220;Neither country needs any guidance on the future conduct of bilateral relations as both countries believe that engagement and dialogue alone lead to peace,8221; Sarna said.