India’s continued purchases of Russian oil are “most certainly a point of irritation” in its relationship with the United States, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday, flagging Washington’s growing unease with New Delhi’s energy ties with Moscow.
Speaking to Fox Radio, Rubio called India an ally and that there's not going to be 100% alignment on everything.
“Look, global trade – India is an ally. It’s a strategic partner. Like anything in foreign policy, you’re not going to align 100 per cent of the time on everything,” he said.
His remarks follow former President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on all imports from India, effective August 1, along with a yet-unspecified penalty for New Delhi’s procurement of Russian crude oil and military equipment.
Also Read: Trump announces US will develop 'massive' oil reserves in Pakistan, says they might sell to 'India some day'
Responding to a question on US disappointment over India’s position, Rubio acknowledged the country’s dependence on affordable energy. “India has huge energy needs and that includes the ability to buy oil and coal and gas and things that it needs to power its economy like every country does, and it buys it from Russia, because Russian oil is sanctioned and cheap and – meaning they have to – in many cases, they’re selling it under the global price because of the sanctions.”
He added, “Unfortunately, that is helping to sustain the Russian war effort. So it is most certainly a point of irritation in our relationship with India – not the only point of irritation. We also have many other points of cooperation with them.”
Rubio said the White House is upset that India continues to buy large volumes of discounted Russian oil despite alternative sources being available. “But I think what you’re seeing the President express is the very clear frustration that with so many other oil vendors available, India continues to buy so much from Russia, which in essence is helping to fund the war effort,” he said, “and allowing this war to continue in Ukraine.”
Trump’s sudden tariff move is being seen as a strategy to push India to align more closely with Washington’s geopolitical and trade expectations. In recent weeks, the US has secured favourable trade terms with the UK, Japan, and the European Union.
On Thursday, the US President also announced that a deal has been made with India's arch-rival Pakistan to develop oil reserves and maybe someday even sell to India.
“We have just concluded a Deal with the Country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive Oil Reserves. We are in the process of choosing the Oil Company that will lead this Partnership. Who knows, maybe they’ll be selling Oil to India some day!” he wrote.
(With inputs from PTI)
Speaking to Fox Radio, Rubio called India an ally and that there's not going to be 100% alignment on everything.
“Look, global trade – India is an ally. It’s a strategic partner. Like anything in foreign policy, you’re not going to align 100 per cent of the time on everything,” he said.
His remarks follow former President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 25 per cent tariff on all imports from India, effective August 1, along with a yet-unspecified penalty for New Delhi’s procurement of Russian crude oil and military equipment.
Also Read: Trump announces US will develop 'massive' oil reserves in Pakistan, says they might sell to 'India some day'
Responding to a question on US disappointment over India’s position, Rubio acknowledged the country’s dependence on affordable energy. “India has huge energy needs and that includes the ability to buy oil and coal and gas and things that it needs to power its economy like every country does, and it buys it from Russia, because Russian oil is sanctioned and cheap and – meaning they have to – in many cases, they’re selling it under the global price because of the sanctions.”
He added, “Unfortunately, that is helping to sustain the Russian war effort. So it is most certainly a point of irritation in our relationship with India – not the only point of irritation. We also have many other points of cooperation with them.”
Rubio said the White House is upset that India continues to buy large volumes of discounted Russian oil despite alternative sources being available. “But I think what you’re seeing the President express is the very clear frustration that with so many other oil vendors available, India continues to buy so much from Russia, which in essence is helping to fund the war effort,” he said, “and allowing this war to continue in Ukraine.”
Trump’s sudden tariff move is being seen as a strategy to push India to align more closely with Washington’s geopolitical and trade expectations. In recent weeks, the US has secured favourable trade terms with the UK, Japan, and the European Union.
On Thursday, the US President also announced that a deal has been made with India's arch-rival Pakistan to develop oil reserves and maybe someday even sell to India.
“We have just concluded a Deal with the Country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive Oil Reserves. We are in the process of choosing the Oil Company that will lead this Partnership. Who knows, maybe they’ll be selling Oil to India some day!” he wrote.
(With inputs from PTI)
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