India’s import of Russian crude oil while Moscow is under sanctions for its invasion of Ukraine ‘is no violation of sanctions’ given ‘it is only 1-2 per cent at this time’, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said late Monday after prime minister Narendra Modi and US president Joe Biden spoke briefly. Psaki’s remarks also came before the meeting between Indian and American foreign and defence ministers. Delhi’s crude oil purchases from Moscow since it attacked Ukraine had led to pointed statements from the US and the UK.
Monday’s remark – in response to a question if Biden had sought promises from Modi regarding future purchase of Russian oil – has also been seen as a major policy shift by the US. Psaki, however, also said Biden had told Modi that it is not in India’s interest to increase energy imports from Russia.
