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Each country to make own decision: US official on India buying Russian oil
The United States has said that “each country is going to make its own decision” when asked about India’s ties with Russia and purchase of oil from Russia.
US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said in an exclusive interview with ANI that, “Our understanding is that of course each country is going to make their own decisions. But the one thing that we’ve been clear about on Russia and specifically Russian energy sales is…why we’ve been such a big advocate for the oil price cap. Because what the price cap does is that it keeps oil and energy flowing onto the market and making sure that supply meets demands. But it also ensures that Russia doesn’t get a windfall of profits to fund its war machine. We’ve never intended for anybody to try and keep energy off of the market.”
Asked about India’s stance on recent international events including the Ukraine conflict, Vedant Patel said that New Delhi has taken on an incredible role and they have an “ambitious agenda” for their G20 Presidency. He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have been clear that “this is not the time of war” and a resolution needs to be made based on the United Nations charter.
I think India has taken on an incredibly important role. You have to remember that one of the key things about this year 2023 is that India has the G20 Presidency and they have a very ambitious agenda for their G20 Presidency, one that the United States is ready to partner with them on. And as it relates to Ukraine, you have seen Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar be very clear about how this is not the time for war and that a resolution needs to come one that is consistent with the UN charter. These are all values that we share also,” Patel said.
During his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Samarkand last year, PM Narendra Modi said, “today’s era is not of war.” Since the beginning of the war between Russia and Ukraine in February last year, India has insisted on resolving the dispute through dialogue and diplomacy.
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