Energy imports from Russia are not banned and do not violate the US’ sanctions amid the war in Ukraine, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at a press conference on Monday. This came shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden held a virtual meeting.
Asked if Joe Biden had asked India to limit its energy imports from Russia during the meeting, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki responded, “Energy imports are not banned and they do not violate our sanctions. We certainly recognise that every country is going to take a step in their interest.”
“It [India’s oil imports from Russia] is only 1-2 per cent at this point in time, they export 10 per cent from the US. It is no violation of any sanctions or anything along those lines,” she said.
However, she added that Joe Biden had told PM Modi during the meeting that it was not in India’s interest to increase every import from Russia, as per a report by ANI news agency.
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BLINKEN, JAISHANKAR ON OIL IMPORTS
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged India not to buy additional Russian oil. “Every country is differently situated, has different needs, requirements, but we’re looking to allies and partners not to increase their purchases of Russian energy,” he said.
In response, Minister Of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar said, “If you are looking at energy purchases from Russia, I would suggest that your attention should be focused on Europe. We do buy some energy which is necessary for our energy security, but I suspect, looking at the figures, that our total purchases in a month are less than what Europe buys in an afternoon.”
SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA
After Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, the US and Western nations imposed several sanctions and financial penalties on Moscow in a bid to pressurise it into halting its offensive in Ukraine. Following this, Russia offered crude oil at a discounted price and India purchases thirteen million barrels of the same.
About a month ago, at a similar press conference, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki had said India’s purchase of Russia oil would not be a violation of sanctions but could put India on the wrong side of history.
‘CONSTRUCTIVE’ TALKS
At the press conference on Monday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also noted that the talks between US President Joe Biden and PM Modi had been constructive and productive.
“This was a constructive call. It’s a relationship that is vitally important to the US,” she said.
The PM Modi-Joe Biden talks preceded a US-India 2+2 Ministerial meeting on Monday. The 2+2 Ministerial meeting included US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
