US warns of consequences for those still dealing with Russia

The United States today said there will be consequences for those countries which do business with Russia by circumventing sanctions imposed on that country following the invasion of Ukraine, Indian media reported quoted US Deputy National Security Advisor Daleep Singh now in New Delhi.

The US did not want to see a "rapid acceleration" in India's imports from Russia of energy and other commodities prohibited by global sanctions and "there are consequences to countries that actively attempt to circumvent or backfill these sanctions," he told a select group of Indian journalists in New Delhi.

Singh cautioned India against expecting Russia to come to New Delhi's defence if China were to violate the Line of Actual Control (LAC) since, according to him, Moscow and Beijing are now in a "no limits partnership".

His remarks came shortly ahead of the arrival of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in New Delhi for a two-day visit during which he will hold talks with the Indian leadership on the Ukraine issue.

Singh said his discussions in New Delhi amounted to an "honest dialogue" about protecting core principles underpinning global peace and security.

"What we would not like to see is a rapid acceleration of India's imports from Russia as it relates to energy or any other any other exports that are currently being prohibited by the US or by other aspects of the international sanctions regime," he said in response to a question about India's recent decision to buy from Russia discounted petroleum products.

Acknowledging that US financial sanctions exempt energy payments and that there is currently no prohibition on energy imports from Russia, Singh said the US and its European allies have a shared interest in reducing their reliance on an "unreliable energy supplier" like Russia.