Clinton lauds India’s efforts to reduce dependence on Iranian oil

By Lauren Appelbaum, Political Director

Washington, May 8 – Traveling in New Delhi, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said India and the U.S. are united in a goal to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and applauded India’s steps to reduce its imports of Iranian oil.

“India has reduced its dependence on Iranian oil. I know their refineries have stopped asking for orders to purchase Iranian oil. So they certainly have taken steps,” Clinton said during an exclusive interview with CNN’s Jill Dougherty. “India shares exactly our goal; their goal is our goal, and that is to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear weapons nation.”

Clinton also urged the Indian government to cut its imports even further to keep pressure on Iran. The U.S. and other Western countries have put pressure on India to reduce its consumption of Iranian oil, as part of efforts of applying economic pressure on Iran’s oil industry.