India and Iran may soon begin exploratory talks to resume bilateral trade in crude oil and fertilizers, which have been under US sanctions since 2019, as Iran and the US try to speed up talks to restart the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, Hindu Business Line reported, citing sources.

A high-ranking delegation from Iran is scheduled to visit New Delhi for talks with Indian officials.

It is hoped that the sanctions against Iran will be lifted as progress was reported in the negotiations between the US and Iran in Vienna. An Iranian group of senior officials will soon visit India to discuss how to restart trade in commodities such as oil and fertilizers, the source said.

The talks in Vienna have so far been suspended at the suggestion of the EU foreign minister, and the negotiators have returned to their capitals for political consultations.

Iran says that Washington has not shown in practice any determination to lift sanctions on Tehran in order to revive the JCPOA and return to full compliance with it.