The United States Monday urged India to further reduce oil imports from sanctions-hit Iran over its nuclear programme.

Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata that though India has taken steps to cut down oil imports from Iran, Washington wanted New Delhi to do "even more" in this regard.

"We commend the steps they have taken thus far. We hope they will do even more," Clinton told a townhall-style interactive meeting in the city.

She also said that adequate oil is available from countries like Saudi Arabia, and made it clear that India's cutting of oil purchases from Iran would help step up pressure on that Gulf nation to prove its nuclear programme is peaceful.

Iran is India's second-largest crude oil supplier.

India had earlier rejected western sanctions to stop oil imports from Iran.