Despite India’s categorical opposition to the slapping of unilateral sanctions on Russia, the United States has said it is with India and China among others as part of its diplomatic efforts to isolate Moscow over its annexation of Crimea.
“We are actively working on the diplomatic side to isolate Russia and that means with countries like China and India and others,” State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf said. Asked if US had plans to ask countries outside NATO to back moves against Russia such as curtailment of oil imports from Iran during the Iranian crisis, Harf commented: “Well, I don’t think we’re there yet. Obviously, we’ve been consulting very closely with the Europeans about sanctions. We have been talking with other countries diplomatically, though.”
Harf commented that it was significant that China did not vote with Russia at the UN Security Council last weekend, but abstained. “Yesterday, only 10 other countries in the General Assembly – people like Syria and Sudan – voted with Russia. So we are actively working on the diplomatic side to isolate Russia and that means with countries like China and India and others. But on the oil part, we’re just not there yet,” she added.
In reply to another question, the spokesperson voiced disappointment over India abstaining from the US-sponsored resolution against Sri lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. “It is disappointing to us that India abstained from voting on this resolution when they voted yes for the last two years,” she said, adding the US has made known its disappointment to Indian officials.
Commenting on the run-up to the Indian elections, Harf reiterated Washington’s position that the United States would work with whoever is chosen by the Indian people. “Obviously, we are paying attention to what’s happening in India. As we’ve said, it is for the people of India to decide their future. We will work with whoever the people of India think should be their next leadership,” she said, without elaborating.
She sought to sidestep the lingering Devyani Khobragade issue, terming it an ongoing legal process. “We would disagree that relations are strained today because of this. We know it was a difficult incident…But quite frankly, we believe we need to move the relationship past it. We believe the Indian Government wants to do the same thing. And we are working together very closely, as I said, on a whole range of issues,” Harf said and cited the maritime security talks that was held at the State Department on Friday as part of the US-India-East Asia consultations.