From Lalit K Jha Washington, Feb 9 (PTI) The US is working with countries, including India to reduce their dependence on Iranian oil, a top official said today, noting it understands the energy needs of New Delhi and its long-standing ties with Tehran. "In the context of the legislation that the (US) President signed on December 29th, we are working with countries around the world, including India, that maintain strong oil relationships with Iran, encouraging all of them to reduce their dependence on Iranian crude," State Department spokesperson, Victoria Nuland said. This was an issue of discussion when the Indian Foreign Secretary, Ranjan Mathai, met US officials at the State Department, she said. "That was an opportunity to continue conversations that we had started in Delhi about how India might be able to wean itself from Iranian oil," Nuland said adding that those conversations continues. "We're having similar conversations with countries in Asia, in Europe, in other parts of the world," she said. India, she noted, has had a trading relationship and oil relationship with Iran. "What we are saying to all of our allies and partners around the world is that we are encouraging everybody to buy less Iranian crude, as little as possible, to find alternatives sources of supply, in the context of the economic squeeze that all of us are trying to put on Iran, to encourage Iran to come clean with the international community about its nuclear weapons program," Nuland said. (MORE)
