India banned trade with North Korea but will not cut down diplomatic ties

Monitoring Desk

NEW DELHI: Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has said that Indian cut the trade with the North Korea after the UN sanctions over its nuclear tests but Indian will not close its Pyongyang embassy.

During the recent visit of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Asia, North Korea was one of the topics in Asian security raised by US. The US demanded from the allies to cut diplomatic ties with the North Korea.

Sushma Swaraj said in a press conference that India and America discusses the issues openly including trade reduction and closing the embassy in Pyongyang and adding we informed the Rex Tillerson as far as trade it has come down and it become minimal.

According to official data, trade between India and North Korea raised to $130 million in 2016-17 but in the current year it come down to $ 10 million. India stopped all trade with Pyongyang, except food and medicine, from April this year.

Swaraj added that the embassy should remain as a link with the North.

Tillerson understood and appreciated India’s stand. While India has strongly condemned North’s nuclear tests, it has maintained diplomatic relations with Pyongyang, she added.