India has cut down Iranian oil import: report

In the last four years, India has significantly reduced its import of Iranian oil by volume from 16% in 2008 to 10% now, a US Congressional report has said.

In the last four years, India has significantly reduced its import of Iranian oil by volume from 16% in 2008 to 10% now, a US Congressional report has said.

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"Since 2008, India has reduced its imports of Iranian oil by volume and as a percentage of India's total oil imports. Iran now only supplies about 10% of India's oil imports, down from over 16% in 2008," said the latest report of the Congressional Research Service (CRS).

The 80-page report by CRS – an independent research wing of the US Congress – said that Indian leaders have agreed to further reduce dependence on Iranian oil.

Iran is India's second-largest oil supplier. India purchases about 12% of its total consumption from Iran.

"Publicly, Indian leaders have not pledged further significant reductions but press and industry accounts say that India plans further reductions along the lines of those negotiated in early 2012 by Japan," the report said.

"Indian officials say that more drastic reductions would require significant investment to switch over refineries that handle Iranian crude, and will take time," it said.

According to the report, India has been able to use the sanctions to force concessions from Iran, including an Iranian acceptance of payment for about 45% of the oil sales in rupees, Indian currency but which is not convertible.

"Indian officials say some of their major companies, including the Tata conglomerate, have ended or reduced their business with Iran," it said.