US Acknowledges Historic Ties Between India, Russia

WASHINGTON, DC (ANI) – The United States on August 17 appeared to be defending India’s policy choices amid the Ukraine conflict, saying that it will take a long time for countries who have historic ties with Moscow to reorient their foreign policy.

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price made these remarks during a press conference in response to a question on US “failure” to isolate Russia. “We have seen countries around the world speak clearly, including with their votes in the UN General Assembly, against Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. But we also recognize…that this is not flipping a light switch,” Price said while answering a question on Russian oil imports by India.

“This is something that especially for countries that have historical relationships with Russia, relationships that, as is the case with India, extend back decades, it is going to be a long-term proposition to reorient foreign policy away from Russia,” he added.

India continues to engage with Russia on several issues including India’s energy security despite mounting sanctions on Moscow amid the war in Ukraine.

A US media report recently said Russia surpassed Saudi Arabia in June to become the second-biggest supplier of crude to India. New Delhi has maintained that its oil imports from Moscow will be guided by its energy security needs.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has defended India’s crude oil imports from Russia and termed it the “best deal” for the country.