WASHINGTON: The United States is ready to support India in diversifying its energy imports, the White House said on Wednesday, reiterating his desire that New Delhi did not buy oil from Russia in the midst of American sanctions to attack Ukraine.
“We don’t think India must accelerate or increase the import of Russian energy and other commodities even as, clearly, these decisions are made by each country,” said the White Press Secretary Jen PSAKI to reporters at his daily press conference.
“And (US) also explains that we are ready to support India such as all efforts to diversify their imports and function as a reliable supplier even because they only import about one to two percent of Russia,” he said in response to the question.
Deputy US National Security Advisor Dalep Singh was in New Delhi last week to discuss with Indian officials about Russian sanctions.
“We have various ways to communicate and get involved. And clearly, sending representatives of our national security advisors is for example. But obviously, our preference is to have a confirmed ambassador,” he said.
The US Ambassador’s nomination to India, Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles, was waiting in the US Senate because he did not have enough votes for confirmation.
“Our preferences always have an ambassador that is confirmed in the field. This is a very important diplomatic position. We are also involved with countries through various channels. And clearly, our national security advisors are only in India recently in the past few weeks ., convey clearly what consequences of violations of sanctions will and what is the mechanism, “said Ms. PSAKI.