MEA frowns on US missive to reduce trade with Russia

New Delhi, July 14

The Foreign Office here took umbrage over the US Consulate General in Mumbai writing directly to the Mumbai Port Authority last month asking it not to allow Russian vessels to dock because of American sanctions against Russia.

“The appropriate channel is through the MEA and the US Embassy in New Delhi,’’ said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on being asked about this unusual missive from a US consulate to a department of the Government of India on a foreign policy matter.

After the US consulate letter, Mumbai Port Authority wrote to the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) which in turn has asked the MEA for instructions.

The US embassy had declined to comment on the letter.

India has stepped up crude imports from Russia and recently began importing coal at a discount.

Ports cannot approve or deny permission to cargo vessels unless these are instructions from Central agencies. The Adani group had to recently rescind its decision not to allow imports from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan to its Mundra Port after the seizure of 3,000 kg of drugs originating from one of the countries.