Iranian Foreign Minister to visit India later this month

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is likely to visit India later this month as the Persian Gulf nation seeks to boost energy and trade ties with easing of sanctions.
"The Iranian Foreign Minister is to visit India. The visit most probably will happen towards the month end," a source said.
India was till a few years back one of the biggest buyers of Iranian crude but the US and Western sanctions made imports difficult. The sanctions blocked payment routes and choked shipping lines.
India pays Iran 45 per cent of the value of imports in rupee but hasn't been able to pay for the remaining since March last year due to sanctions.

About USD 3 billion has accumulated in unpaid dues. The source said Iran has so far not sought any particular amount for repayment.