US signals U-turn on plans to sanction India over purchasing Russian oil

US President Joe Biden’s administration has no plans to sanction India over its continued purchase of oil from Russia, despite a US-led anti-Moscow oil embargo targeting the Kremlin over the war in Ukraine.

Indian media reported on Thursday that two US diplomats had "subtly signaled a U-turn in the approach of Washington DC to New Delhi's relations with Moscow."

The Americans' "U-turn" came after a senior official of the Biden administration warned India months ago of "consequences" if New Delhi were to continue to buy huge amounts of crude oil from Russia, according to the media reports.

Now, US senior foreign policy officials say that the US will not be sanctioning India for purchasing Russian oil.

Moscow calls EU move to phase out Russian oil 'self-destructive'

Moscow warns that the EU’s bid to phase out the bloc’s dependence on Russian oil does more harm than good.

"I want to be clear that we are not looking to sanctioning India" over its oil purchase from Russia, Karen Donfried, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, said on Wednesday.

The relationship with India is most consequential and while the policy approach of the US and India may differ, both share a commitment to uphold the order based on international rules and have respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, she said.

The US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, Geoffery Pyatt, added that the US was "comfortable" with India's approach to Russian oil purchase, "but we value the dialogue that we continue to have on the issue.”

He also mentioned how energy security was invariably part of most bilateral discussions lately.

The senior US diplomats defended the price cap slapped on Russian oil and said it was an opportunity for India, even though it is not participating in it, to negotiate a better price.

In the meantime, India has been rebuffing western pressure over its oil purchases from Russia, saying it will buy oil from "wherever it is beneficial."

India's energy minister reiterated on Wednesday that New Delhi will not give in to western pressure and it will buy the crude oil it needs from wherever it deems to be better for its economy.

Rebuffing Western pressure, India says it will buy oil from ‘wherever is beneficial’

India

Over the past months, India has been importing huge supplies of Russian oil at discount prices, refining it into fuel which is then exported to Europe and the United States.

Traditionally, Russia has been the main supplier of energy to Europe. However, following Moscow's special military operation in Ukraine, which began almost a year ago, the European Union decided to ban Russian energy.

Italy, nonetheless, has increased its imports of Russian crude in spite of efforts by Brussels to totally ban Russian energy over the Ukraine war.

Hungary, Austria, and Slovakia have similar views to Italy regarding Russian energy sanctions.

EU states embargo of Russian oil has led to commodity price hikes in these countries, adding to the nation’s economic hardships.

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