Page 8 - The Indian EYE 032522

NATION MARCH 25, 2022 | The Indian Eye 8

Discussion on as India and us not seem to

be on the same page on ukrainian crisis

India has been under tremendous pressure to take a side in the ongoing conflict, particularly

from the US, which has imposed severe sanctions against Russia

creased. “Russia has been a margin-
OUR BUREAU al supplier of crude oil to India (less
than 1 per cent of our requirement,
Washington, DC/New Delhi
not among top 10 sources). There is
ongressmen Ro Khanna and no G2G arrangement of import,” the
Joe Wilson have held talks sources said.
Cwith the Indian Ambassador Meanwhile, the United States has
to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu urg- said India would not be violating US
ing India to “speak out against Putin’s sanctions by purchasing discounted
targeting of civilians in Ukraine”. Russian oil but added that such a move
“Appreciated the opportunity would put the world’s largest democ-
to join @RepJoeWilson in a bipar- racy on the “wrong side of history”.
tisan call with Ambassador @Sand- The United States is in touch
huTaranjitS, urging India to speak with Indian leaders at various levels
out against Putin’s targeting of ci- over the issue of India’s decision to
vilians in Ukraine. On both sides of buy oil from Russia at a discount,
the aisle, friends of India are urging White House Press Secretary Jen
India to use its influence for peace,” Psaki said on Friday. “We have been
Ro Khanna of the Democratic party US President Joe Biden holds a phone conversation in touch, of course, with Indian lead-
said in a tweet. with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday (ANI) ers at a range of levels, (however) not
The development comes amidst through the president,” Psaki said
an escalation in rhetoric by the US during a press briefing. Psaki was re-
administration against the Russian sponding to a question on the US’s
actions in Ukraine, with US Presi- stand with respect to India’s decision
dent Joe Biden calling Russian Presi- to buy Russian oil, despite the severe
dent Vladimir Putin a “war criminal” sanctions imposed on Russia by most
on Wednesday, and further calling of the Western countries.
him a “murderous dictator” and a Earlier, on Tuesday, the United
“pure thug” on Thursday. States said India would not be violat-
Earlier on Friday, India had reit- ing US sanctions by purchasing dis-
erated its earlier calls for a complete counted Russian oil but added that
cessation of hostilities in Ukraine at such a move would put the world’s
the United Nations Security Council largest democracy on the “wrong
(UNSC). “We reiterate our call for side of history”.
the immediate cessation of hostilities India has been under tremen-
across Ukraine. Our Prime Minister dous pressure to take a side in the
has reiterated this on several occa- ongoing conflict, particularly from
sions and called for immediate cease- the US, which has imposed severe
fire and emphasized that there is no sanctions against Russia following its
option but the path of dialogue and di- invasion of Ukraine in late February
plomacy,” India’s Permanent Repre- this year.
sentative to the UN TS Tirumurti said. Members of All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) burn an effigy while staging A Russian government release
But India’s legitimate energy last week had said that Russia’s oil
transactions should not be politi- a protest against the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war and demanding the safe return of stranded and petroleum product exports to In-
cized, said sources amid reports that Indian students from the war-hit Ukraine in Kolkata (ANI) dia have approached USD 1 billion,
New Delhi is planning to buy Russian and there are clear opportunities to
oil at a discounted rate following the 11 per cent). USA has also now be- to our energy security. For obvious increase this figure. “We expect to
surge in global oil prices after the come an important crude oil source reasons, we have had to stop sourc- continue cooperating in the devel-
Ukraine conflict. for India (7.3 per cent), sources in- ing from Iran and Venezuela. Alter- opment of peaceful nuclear power,
India is highly dependent on im- formed. Imports from the US are native sources have often come at a in particular, in building the nuclear
ports for meeting its energy require- expected to increase substantially in higher cost,” the sources said. power units at Kudankulam,” Rus-
ments, nearly 85 per cent of crude oil the current year, probably by around The sources further stated sia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alex-
requirement (5 million barrels a day) 11 per cent. Its market share will be 8 that the jump in oil prices after the ander Novak was quoted as saying
has to be imported. Most of the im- per cent, according to sources. Ukraine conflict has now added to in the statement following a phone
ports are from West Asia (Iraq 23 per “Geopolitical developments our challenges. The pressure for conversation with Indian Petroleum
cent, Saudi Arabia 18 per cent, UAE have posed significant challenges competitive sourcing has naturally in- Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

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