External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said discussions were a better alternative than international sanctions in dealing with the situation arising out of Iran's nuclear programme.

"Iran is our longtime ally and about 40 lakh Indians are residing in West Asia. Prior to taking any step, the programme's objective should be ascertained," he told media persons in Gwalior.

The minister was in town to attend the Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan's 79th All India Annual Literary and Cultural Convention.

"The Indo-US civil nuclear deal will not pose a threat to India's security and sovereignty and every opposition party has been thus informed through a discussion in Parliament," Mukherjee added.