SME Times News Bureau | 16 Feb, 2012
India-Iran trade relations won't be affected by Monday's terror attack on an Israeli embassy car in New Delhi, for which Israel has accused Iran, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said Wednesday.

"These are separate issues, let the identity of the perpetrators be established and them being brought to justice," said Sharma, who is on an official visit to Pakistan.

The minister said India's plan of sending a large business delegation to Iran for promoting bilateral trade and investment was intact.

"There is no change in plan. The delegation will go," Sharma said.

In a bid to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations, India plans to send a huge delegation to Iran by the end of this month.

An unidentified motorcyclist attached an improvised explosive magnetic device to an Israeli embassy car which burst into flames Monday. Israel has blamed Iran for the attack. However, Iran has rejected the allegation.

India, having good relations with both Iran and Israel, has made a diplomatic silance on the issue.

"I am not the investigator. Let the Delhi Police identify and bring the perpetrators to justice," Sharma said.

Iran, the second largest supplier of oil to India, is crucially important for India, Asia's third largest economy.

Sharma, who also holds the portfolio of textiles minister, is leading the largest ever business delegation to Pakistan, comprising of some 120 business leaders.