The US urges India not to step up imports of Russian oil as other nations wean off their reliance

US President Joe Biden asked India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to increase purchases of Russian oil.

In an hour-long video call Monday, Biden said the US could help India with its energy needs, but stopped short of asking Modi for help, according to an official.

The president told them that we were here to help them with their oil imports. The imports from the United States are much bigger than the imports from Russia, according to the White House.

India doesn't get much of its oil supply from Russia. It bought 12 million barrels from Russia, making up 2% of its total imports.

The president made clear that he doesn't believe India wants to increase imports of Russian energy or other commodities.

Psaki did not specify if India had made a commitment towards Russian energy imports.

The US and its allies have imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia due to its war against Ukraine. Russia is the third-largest producer of oil, but it has fallen out of favor with many of its consumers.

The US and the UK have banned imports of Russian oil. The European Union is more dependent on Russian supplies.

India and China have been buying cheap Russian oil. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has not been condemned by either country. India has spoken out more forcefully against reported atrocities, particularly as it relates to the horrible photos that we saw around Bucha.

Modi condemned the killings of innocent civilians in the city of Bucha and asked for an independent probe.

Modi suggested that Putin and Zelenskyy hold direct talks.

India has not imposed direct sanctions on Russia. It has purchased 13 million barrels of Russian crude since the invasion.

The UN General Assembly voted last week to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council over its actions in Ukraine.

Subrahmanyam Jaishankar defended India's oil purchases from Russia.

The total purchases for the month would probably be less than what Europe does in an afternoon, he said.

The Modi government will make its own decisions after a candid conversation, according to a US official.

We always encourage leaders to speak out, to be vocal, to ensure they are on the right side of history, even though we have seen them take steps to provide humanitarian assistance and a range of assistance.

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