Not in line with diplomatic norms: India's former UN envoy on US Deputy NSA's LAC remarks
Categories: FOREIGN OR INDIAN NEWS
India’s former envoy to the United Nations Syed Akbaruddin today tweeted his condemnation of US Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh for his remarks on India's trade deals with Russia amid the war against Ukraine. The former envoy spoke to India Today TV at length, explaining that the US official’s comments were a “display of rather crude public diplomacy of a nature that is not expected from a friendly country like the US”. “The world is not at peace. In fact, it is going to pieces. And in such situations, it is normal for everybody to try and maximise their position. We have military conflicts and hostilities going on in Ukraine but we also have a weaponisation of sorts being launched - something very unprecedented. A G20 country is being sanctioned in an unprecedented manner. Obviously, these have repercussions in an interdependent world. It is not the first time sanctions have been used as a tool. But let me tell you they have no sanctity in international law,” Syed Akbaruddin told India Today TV. Syed Akbaruddin pointed out that US Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh’s remarks were “not in keeping with the diplomatic traditions or means of engagement between two friends”.“We saw a display of rather crude public diplomacy of a nature that is not expected from a friendly country like the US trying to explain to us. Our ties with the US are on the upswing.There is a trajectory of greater engagement and certainly the remarks made by the US Deputy National Security Adviser were not in keeping with the diplomatic traditions or means of engagement between two friends. On Thursday, Daleep Singh also said that the US would not like to see any country engaging in financial transactions with the Russian central bank.Daleep Singh said India's current import of Russian energy doesn't violate any of the American sanctions, but at the same time added that Washington would like to see its allies and partners find ways to reduce their reliance on an "unreliable supplier". He also said India should not expect Russia to come to its defence in case China violates the Line of Actual Control (LAC).Reacting to Daleep Singh's comments, ex-UN envoy Syed Akbaruddin said, "Somebody tell this young man that punitive unilateral economic measures are a breach of customary international law..."