In an interview with the Hindustan Times on Friday, Donald Lu, the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia in the United States (US) State Department, stressed that the US’ relationship with India remains important for Washington even in the wake of New Delhi’s hesitancy to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. His remarks come at a stressful time for US-India ties, after Deputy National Security Advisor Daleep Singh warned India of the “consequences” of failing to align with the US’ position on Russia. Indeed, even US President Joe Biden has called India’s stance “somewhat shaky.”
Keeping this in mind, Lu said, “My main takeaway is that our relationship is really important, both to India and the US. And we are really pleased that we could offer our leading Russia expert to have serious and deep conversations with her Indian counterparts during this important moment in history,” when asked how Washington views US-India ties since the Ukraine invasion.
On further being prodded upon about what steps the US would like to see India take in this regard, Lu said that it was “no secret” that both sides see the Ukraine crisis “from different perspectives,” which gives the “strategic partners” reason to “have good communication and good discussions at every level” to explain their respective positions and “look for places of convergence where we can work together.” “We have urged India to use its leverage to support a peaceful resolution. Both the US and India are supporting humanitarian assistance for the Ukrainian people. That’s, I think, a real place for potential coordination and collaboration,” the diplomat noted.
Lu was also asked to clarify the kind of “consequences India may face if it circumvents the sanctions regime.” Lu once again stressed India’s importance, stating: “What I really want to say is it’s important for us, the United States, to show that our relationship with India is going to be the more valuable relationship, and for India to see value in working with us.”
Washington: "I contacted Pakistani DCM to convince him to vote in favour of resolution [against Russia]."
— South Asia Index (@SouthAsiaIndex) April 4, 2022
- US Assist Secretary of State Donald Lu told Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. pic.twitter.com/RoGn0f2SB3
The diplomat’s comment is largely seen as an effort by Washington to mend ties with New Delhi after recent comments by White House officials. During a visit to New Delhi last week, deputy NSA Singh noted that he was visiting “in a spirit of friendship” but underscored that purpose of his trip was to “explain the mechanisms of our sanctions” and “the importance of joining us,” before warning that the US will exact “consequences” on countries who “actively attempt to circumvent or backfill the sanctions.”
He went on to say that the US is “very keen” to impress upon its allies that “create mechanisms that prop up the ruble and those that attempt to undermine the dollar-based financial system,” referring to India and Russia’s prospective rupee-ruble oil trade mechanism.
Prime Minister Imran Khan's address to Parliamentarians. pic.twitter.com/zqkONDD9Pj
— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) April 3, 2022
Similarly, in an exclusive interview with Reuters, an unnamed senior US official said, “U.S. has no objection to India buying Russian oil provided it buys it at discount, without significantly increasing from previous years.” He added that only “some increase is allowed,” possibly hinting at sanctions or other punitive measures.
In this respect, responding to whether the US’ differences with India over Russia’s invasion could change the relationships for the worse, Lu said that he looked forward to the annual 2+2 foreign and defence ministers meeting on April 11 in Washington. “I think we will see evidence that our relationship is very healthy and moving forward,” he reassured.
#BRAKINGNEWS: Donald Lu visiting India where a journalist asked him about Imran Khan's allegations of conveying threatening messages to Pak Ambassador about #NoConfidenceMotion to avoid serious consequences for Pakistan,
— Khaleej Mag (@KhaleejMag) April 3, 2022
Donald Lu passed on without deniel. pic.twitter.com/7YN9gvcn0Y
The US diplomat also commented on India’s longstanding border dispute with China. The diplomat noted that the US saw “little evidence” that China was “negotiating in goodwill.” “We have condemned Chinese aggression in the Galwan valley in 2020 and provided support to India to reinforce its ability to deter Chinese aggression,” he said.
Lu was then asked regarding Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent accusations of a foreign conspiracy in the parliament’s no-trust vote against him. Khan has alleged that he has tangible evidence that a senior US diplomat had a conversation with the Pakistani Ambassador to the US Asad Majeed Khan wherein he said that there would be consequences if Khan survives the no-confidence motion. On Sunday, after weeks of speculation and refusing to divulge the details of the alleged threat letter, Khan finally revealed that Donald Lu was the foreign official behind the alleged conspiracy. “I’m taking the name of [the] US, the conspiracy has been hatched with the help of America to remove me,” he added.
In his interview with the Hindustan Times, Lu declined to confirm if he was part of such a conversation and stated that the US was “following developments in Pakistan” and held “respect and support Pakistan’s constitutional process and the rule of law.” However, the US has categorically rejected Khan’s allegations. US State Department spokesperson Ned Price stressed last week that there is “no truth” to Khan’s claims.