Buying Russian oil India's sovereign decision: US CDA Elizabeth Jones

The US on Friday said India's buying of Russian oil was a "sovereign decision" in the backdrop of New Delhi's assertion that it will continue with the purchases in its national interests.

When asked about the increase in petroleum purchases by India from Russia in recent months, Elizabeth Jones, the newly-appointed US charge d' affaires in New Delhi, said: "It's a sovereign decision. It has to be a sovereign decision".

ET has learnt that India will continue to buy discounted Russian oil notwithstanding the EU price cap.


Jones said the war has led to an increase in food and energy insecurity in many countries. Asked whether the US government officials would have problems about being in the same room at the same time as Russian officials during G20 meetings, she said: "Are we prepared to be in the same room as the Russians? Yes".

The diplomat said the US is very "energised" that India has taken over the G20 and while there was a tremendous amount of discussion on the war in Ukraine, the decisions were about economic issues and about climate change, health and education.