NEW DELHI, June 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. government will work to expand energy ties with India because of its commitment to Western ideals in the region, the U.S. secretary of state said.
Secretary of State John Kerry wrapped up his visit to India this week. Last weekend, Kerry said the U.S. Agency for International Development would assist with the mobilization of at least $100 million to support renewable energy developments in India.
India is the fourth largest energy consumer in the world and aims to double its renewable energy capacity to 55,000 megawatts by 2017.
Kerry said during a joint press conference with Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid energy cooperation and trade were among key topics on the agenda during meetings in New Delhi.
"Last year, we almost topped $100 billion in two-way trade in goods and services, and we are on track to do even better this year in 2013," he said Monday.
India is among the U.S. allies receiving a waiver on sanctions targeting Iran's energy sector. Allies receive concessions from the United States for making "significant" reductions in Iranian crude oil imports.
"We are appreciative that India has worked hard to reduce its dependency on Iranian oil," he said.
