Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Russian envoy says US seeks to contain India's rise
Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov says the United States may try to limit India’s rise as a powerful country.
He pointed to a comment that the United States would not let India become another China.
Alipov called that comment a public mistake, or “Freudian slip.”
He also said a new US sanctions law could pressure countries that buy Russian oil and gas.
The law could allow tariffs as high as 100 percent.
India buys Russian crude and says it does so to protect its economy and energy supply.
India has warned that the law could hurt its relationship with the United States and global markets.
The United States’ reported policy focus is pressuring Russia, while Alipov views the measure as part of a broader effort to contain India.
Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov accused the United States of seeking to contain India’s growing global influence.
Alipov cited a reported comment by US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau that Washington would not allow India to become the next China.
He described the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 as an example of pressure against India and Russia.
The law allows the United States to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil and gas.
India has defended its purchases of Russian crude as necessary for its economy and the energy needs of 1.4 billion people.
- Who
- Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, the United States, India, and Russia.
- What
- Alipov accused the United States of using pressure tactics to contain India’s rise and cited a US sanctions law as an example.
- When
- Alipov made the comments on Sunday; the cited Landau remark was made at the Raisina Dialogue in March this year.
- Where
- Alipov spoke at the NDTV Defence Forum, while Landau made the cited remark at the Raisina Dialogue.
- Why
- Alipov says the United States wants to pressure Russia and limit India’s emergence as a stronger global power; India says its Russian oil purchases serve its economic and energy needs.
Alipov and India’s position
US policy as described
Purpose of the sanctions law
Alipov and India’s position
Alipov portrays the law as part of a broader US effort to pressure Russia and contain India as it becomes stronger.
US policy as described
The article describes the US measure as pressure on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, but reports no direct US response to Alipov’s containment accusation.
India’s Russian oil purchases
Alipov and India’s position
Alipov praises India’s strategic autonomy, while India says it buys Russian crude for its economy and to meet the energy needs of its population.
US policy as described
The United States has pressured India over its purchases of Russian crude, with the law providing for tariffs of up to 100% on buyers of Russian oil and gas.
- Speaker
- Denis Alipov, Russia’s ambassador to India
- Cited US official
- Christopher Landau, US Deputy Secretary of State
- Cited legislation
- Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
- Maximum tariff authority
- Up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas
- India’s position
- Its Russian crude purchases support its economy and energy needs
- Potential impact cited by India
- The law could damage bilateral ties and global markets
- Population referenced
- India’s energy needs include 1.4 billion people