New Delhi: Iranian Envoy Iraj Elahi has described India as a 'powerful economy' and 'rising economy' and it is strong enough to resist the pressure of the West.

"India is not Taiwan. India is not South Korea. India is not this or that country. India is a rising power. India has a powerful economy. So, India could easily resist the pressure of the west. As India resisted the pressure for buying oil from Russia. We believe that India could and we hope that for the benefit of the Indian economy and people, the Indian government will start importing oil", the Iranian Envoy was quoted as saying by ANI.

India suspended oil imports from Iran in 2019 because of the threat of US secondary sanctions, the Indian news agency reported.

The envoy also highlighted that Iran is ready to resume its export to India but it is up to India to decide. Further, stressing the sanctions imposed on Iran, the envoy said that day by day the sanctions on countries are increasing and one has to learn to live with it.

"Iran is an oil producer and oil is important in our economy. Despite the sanctions and not short sanctions, you know more than 10 years, we have been under sanctions. We have found some ways to sell our oil and oil products like petrochemicals and other products. We always express our readiness to resume our export to India. It's up to India," the Iranian Envoy was quoted as saying by ANI.

"The number of countries under sanctions is increasing day by day. All countries should learn how to live under sanctions otherwise they will lose their interests. Now, India is getting the benefit of the situation in Russia. And no one can blame India. India is following its own national interest and Iran also follows its own national interest. We are ready and we have learned how to deal with Sanctions. Not only in the field of oil export, but also in the field of money transfer", the envoy added.