Buying more oil from Russia it is not in India’s interest and could hamper the US response to the war in Ukraine. This was stated by President Joe Biden to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki was quoted as saying by Reuters.
During a one-hour virtual meeting, Biden and Modi have expressed growing concern about the destruction in Ukraine, especially in Buchawhere many civilians were killed.
Biden noted that India has concerns about deepening ties between Russia and China.
The United States has warned India not to move closer to Russia
The cost and consequences for them of moving to clearer strategic coordination with Russia will be significant and long-term.
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But he warned that Modi India’s position in the world will not be improved by relying on Russian energy sourcessaid US officials.
“The president has made it very clear that it is not in their interest to increase this,” Psaki said.
Modi said he had proposed in recent talks with Russia that President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to have direct conversations.
The South Asian nation has tried to balance its ties with Russia and the West, but unlike other members of the Quartet – the United States, Japan and Australia – has not imposed sanctions on Russia.
Biden recently said that only India in the Quad is “somewhat unstable” in its actions against Russia.
Psaki did not disclose whether India had made any commitments to import energy, but said Washington is ready to help the country diversify its energy sources.
A US official added that “we have not asked India to do anything concrete”. The official said “India will make its own judgments” after “a very frank conversation”.
Talks were scheduled in Washington on Monday between US Secretary of State Anthony Blinkon, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Indian Foreign Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar and Indian Defense Minister Rajnat Singh.
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Lavrov hopes India will help circumvent sanctions
Russia’s foreign minister is visiting the Asian country
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Biden told Modi that looks forward to seeing him in Japan for the four’s meeting “on May 24” the two leaders also discussed a number of other issues, officials said.
Recall that days earlier, the chief economic adviser to President Joe Biden said that The United States has warned India not to partner too closely with Russia after the invasion of Ukraine.
India has refused to impose sanctions on Russia, as other countries have done.
The country, which the United States sees as opposing China’s power in Asia, is Russia’s largest importer of weapons.
Psaki commented earlier today on the war in Ukraine, discussing the possible outcomes of the situation. Washington expects Russia to “seek to defeat Ukrainian forces in the east of the country” as they resume rocket launches across the country, causing more “economic and military damage.”
Psaki is concerned that the war will “last a long time” as he does not see Russia changing its tactics or making it less “brutal”.
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