US warns India of consequences for undermining sanctions on Russia: Report

Visiting US Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh further pointed out that Russia and China share a "no limits" partnership, and New Delhi shouldn't expect Moscow's help if China crosses the LAC, news agency PTI reported.

Singh said that India's current oil imports from Russia do not violate any of the US sanctions but underscored that Washington would want its allies and partners to explore ways to reduce their reliance on an "unreliable supplier", it added.

His comments at a time when Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is also present in India on a two-day visit and is expected to push for a rouble-rupee-denominated payment mechanism for bilateral trade including New Delhi's purchase of Russian Oil.

The US Deputy NSA, Daleep Singh, who played a key role in designing American sanctions against Russia, arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday on a two-day visit.

"We would not like to see mechanisms that are designed to prop up the rouble or to undermine the dollar-based financial system or to circumvent our financial sanctions," Singh was quoted as saying by PTI.

"What we would not like to see is a rapid acceleration of India's imports from Russia as it relates to energy or any other any other exports that are currently being prohibited by the US or by other aspects of the international sanctions regime," he said.

He said the US is ready to help India in meeting its energy and defence equipment requirements.

"I come here in a spirit of friendship to explain the mechanisms of our sanctions, the importance of joining us to express shared resolve and to advance shared interests. And yes, there are consequences to countries that actively attempt to circumvent or backfill these sanctions," he said.

"So the conversation I've had here is that we stand ready to help India diversify its energy resources, much like is the case for defence resources over a period of time," he added.

According to the report, referring to the QUAD network, Singh said that there has been a recognition within the grouping that China is a threat to open and secure in the Indo-Pacific region and "If you set that against the reality that China and Russia have now declared a no limits partnership, and that Russia has said that China is its most important strategic partner, by extension, that has real implications for India."

Singh said that Russia will be the junior partner in the alliance and such a partnership would be detrimental to India's interests.

"And the more leverage that China gains over Russia, the less favourable that is for India. I don't think anyone would believe that if China once again breaches the Line of Actual Control, Russia would come running to India's defence," he said, quoted PTI.

Singh said the US is having an "honest dialogue" with the Indian government officials on the Ukraine crisis, the PTI report stated.

After talks between  Shringla and Singh, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the two sides discussed the India-US economic cooperation and strategic partnership.

"Foreign Secretary @harshvshringla met US Deputy National Security Adviser for International Economics & G20 Sherpa Daleep Singh. Discussed India-US economic cooperation & strategic partnership. Look forward to working together on global issues of mutual interest, including in G20," Bagchi tweeted.