Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov has claimed that a senior US official publicly said Washington would not allow India to become another China, which could emerge as a competitor. Alipov described the reported comment as a "Freudian slip". He made the remarks at the NDTV Defence Summit on Sunday.
The Russian envoy said the US would try to contain India's rise as the country becomes stronger. He also pointed to the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 as an example of US pressure. The law allows the US to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from certain countries that buy Russian crude oil or natural gas.
Russian Envoy Makes Claim About US Official
Alipov said a senior US official made the reported statement during this year's Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi. “I think this year at the Raisina Dialogue, one of the top US officials revealed and spoke publicly that the 'US will never allow India to become the next China' as a competitor. It was like a Freudian slip,” he said.
The term "Freudian slip" describes an accidental mistake in speech that is believed to reveal a person's hidden thoughts or feelings. Alipov said the US would continue to put pressure on India as its global influence grows.
“So as India becomes stronger and stronger, and eventually a superpower, which is inevitable, the US would be doing everything possible to contain India. And so, we regard this measure, the Graham Act, as such.”
The Indian government has not issued an official response to Alipov's claim.
US Pressure Over Russian Oil
Alipov made the remarks as India faces continued US pressure over its imports of
Russian crude. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 became law on September 18. The legislation gives the US authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from certain major buyers of Russian oil and gas. India and China are among the countries that could fall within the law's scope based on recent import volumes.
The law does not automatically impose a 100% tariff on India. It gives the US administration authority to determine whether and at what rate such duties will apply. Alipov defended India's decision to continue buying Russian crude.
“India is buying Russian oil not for the sake of Russia. India is buying Russian oil for the sake of its own economy and its own people. Because it is there at a competitive offer," Alipov told NDTV. He said India had maintained its strategic autonomy despite pressure from Washington.
“In response to this, I think India has shown strategic autonomy and strength. The US has articulated its pressure on Russia with this act. It is, by itself, absurd. And the US, I would repeat, very well knows that. I think as India rises, this kind of pressure and these tactics will continue and will aggravate and increase,” he said.
India Says It Will Protect Its Economic Interests
India has said it will take steps to protect its trade and economic interests in response to developments surrounding the US sanctions legislation. The government has also stressed the importance of meeting the energy needs of its population.
India has said it will continue to protect its energy security through diversified sourcing and changing market conditions. The new US law has added another layer of uncertainty to India-US trade ties. At the same time, India continues to assess the potential economic impact of the legislation and its effect on Russian oil purchases.
