‘Ready To Support India In Any Efforts To Diversify Its Imports,’ Says US To Counter Russian Dependence

The United States on Wednesday reiterated that the US thinks India should not accelerate or increase the imports of Russian energy and other commodities, even as they’re only importing about 1 to 2 percent of their oil. The US is ready to support India in its any efforts to diversify imports and also serve as a reliable supplier, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. US Deputy National Security

Advisor Daleep Singh was also in New Delhi last week to discuss with Indian officials on the Russian sanctions.

“Our Deputy National Security Advisor was just in India recently in the last few weeks conveying clearly what the consequences of violating sanctions would be and what the mechanisms are; and also making clear that we do not think India should accelerate or increase imports of Russian energy and other commodities, even as obviously those decisions are made by individual countries; and also making clear that we stand ready to support India as — in any efforts to diversify its imports and serve as a reliable supplier, even as they’re only importing about 1 to 2 percent of their oil from India,” said Jen Psaki.

As currently, the United States does not have a confirmed ambassador in India, Jen Psaki said that sending their Deputy National Security Advisor to India is one of the various channels the US has to engage with India. But their clear preference is to have a confirmed ambassador.

“So, we have a range of ways to communicate and engage.  And obviously, sending our Deputy National Security Advisor is an example of that.  But clearly our preference would be to have a confirmed ambassador,” said Jen Psaki.