April 9, 2022
2 mins read

White House denies ‘warning’ India

“President Biden believes our partnership with India is one of the most important relationships we have in the world,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, reports Arul Louis

The White House has denied that US Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh delivered a warning to India during his visit to New Delhi and characterised his interactions there as a “constructive conversation”.

US Deputy National Security Advisor Daleep Singh.(photo:@W7VOA /Twitter)

“I wouldn’t characterise it as a warning, nor did we at the time,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday when a reporter asserted that Singh had “delivered this warning to India to not raise purchases of Russian oil”.

“He went and had a constructive conversation and made clear that while it’s the decision of each individual country, including India, to determine whether they’re going to import Russian oil,” Psaki said.

“President (Joe) Biden believes our partnership with India is one of the most important relationships we have in the world.”

She reiterated clarifications that sanctions do not apply to oil purchases and about the size of oil purchases by India for a section of the US media that raises the imposition of sanctions against India while not bringing it up for European nations that buy far more energy resources from Russia.

“It is only 1 to 2 per cent of their imports. About 10 per cent of their imports is from the US.”

However, “he conveyed, of course, they should abide by sanctions, which are not related to that decision (on oil purchases) but also, we would be here to help them diversify and move towards even reducing further beyond the 1 to 2 per cent”, Psaki said.

Singh’s statement in New Delhi late last month that “there are consequences to countries that actively attempt to circumvent or backfill the sanctions” spawned headlines about “warning” and “threat” to India based on interpretations by some media.

But he also said during the same conversation with reporters: “I come here in a spirit of friendship to explain the mechanisms of our sanctions, the importance of joining us, to express a shared resolve and to advance shared interests.”

Singh, who is in charge of economic affairs in the US National Security Council, is Biden’s point person on sanctions imposed by the US on Russia.

The US has avoided imposing sanctions on energy purchases to accommodate its European allies who rely heavily on Russia.

Previous Story

Breather for Pak media

Next Story

Lawmakers reach National Assembly to decide Imran’s fate

Latest from -Top News

Putin, Trump Hold Call on Ukraine

During the discussions, Trump briefed Putin about the dialogue he had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky…reports Asian Lite News Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump spoke by phone on

India’s Healing Touch Reaches Guyana

The initiative, backed by the Indian High Commission in Georgetown, stands as a testament to India-Guyana friendship …reports Asian Lite News Fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pledge, India has delivered artificial limbs

Doval Meets Wang Yi in Delhi

The meetings could see both sides deliberate on a range of key issues, including the border situation, trade and resumption of flight services….reports Asian Lite News National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met

Gang Violence, Khalistan Extremism Put Canada on Edge

gang-driven extortion and Khalistani extremism, threatening public safety, community trust, and bilateral ties with India…reports Asian Lite News Canada is grappling with a nexus of gang-led extortion and Khalistani extremism that threatens

Pakistan: Ahmadi Mosques Torched, Outrage Follows

Police reports say over 300 attackers armed with rods and bricks targeted Ahmadiyya worshippers during Independence Day processions in Dijkot….reports Asian Lite News A prominent minority group on Monday condemned attacks on
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Two-Hour India-Sri Lanka Ferry to Boost Connectivity

Plans have already been afoot to start the ferry service

India reiterates opposition to China’s BRI project  

During the SCO summit in July hosted by New Delhi,