Tehran, YJC. India reduced its imports of oil from Iran in January in line with the government order which coincided with the US president’s visit to New Delhi.
Indian refiners bought 21.5 pct. less oil from Iran than the
previous month. The imports of 273,000 barrels per day were about a 3rd less
than one year ago.
The cut reportedly came in line with a policy to bring
imports from Iran according to 2013 levels.
Iran’s oil exports are subject to US-led sanctions and Asian
buyers must maintain purchases at levels not topping 1.1 million bpd all in
all.
India is Iran’s 2nd biggest oil customer after China and has
taken 252,500 bpd of Iranian oil in the first ten months of the current fiscal
year, based to data released by Reuters.
The imports were on rise a quarter from the same period a
year ago, which came as Iran and six worked to come up with a deal over the
Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.
Last month, however, the Indian government ordered refiners
to import less Iranian oil and energy experts have stated taht the request had
very much to do with US intervention.
Oil purchases from Iran were reportedly discussed in talks
with Barack Obama when the US president visited New Delhi.