♤ In recent months the US has been pushing for India to cut ties with North Korea.

♤ Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj has argued India only conducted “minimal” trade with North Korea and its embassy staff had already been pared down in recent years.

♤ And in April 2017, in line with UN sanctions due to North Korea’s nuclear tests, India banned almost all trade with the North Korea.

♤ But in 2017 India refused to shut down its embassy, which is located in Pyongyang, a move which angered the US.

♤ As per the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, India’s export to North Korea was $76.52 million and import stood at $132.53 million in 2014-15. While India largely exported oilmeals, cotton yarn and machinery, Pyongyang exported iron and steel.

♤ From $209.05 million, the bilateral came down $130.38 million in 2016-17.

♤ In April, India banned all trade with Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), except for food and medicine – in line with United Nations Security Council sanctions.

♤ In September 2017, India endorsed the BRICS Xiamen declaration which called for a