New Delhi, March 21 -- Former Indian diplomat Veena Sikri on Saturday said India is likely to maximise oil purchases from Iran during the temporary sanctions waiver period while continuing to diversify its energy imports to safeguard long-term energy security.

In an interview with ANI, Sikri said the recent lifting of sanctions appears temporary, given the evolving conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel.

"Well, I think it's good that, you know, we are again able to buy oil from Iran. I think the lifting of the sanctions seems to be very temporary because there's no idea how the conflict between Iran on one hand and the US-Israel on the other hand how it's developing," she said.

She noted that the waiver period may last ...