India rejects US request to ban RT media outlet

Washington’s call for global sanctions campaign against Russian news network has been poorly received in New Delhi

The Indian government is reluctant to give in to Washington’s fresh attack on Russian media, The Hindu newspaper reported, citing diplomatic sources.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday unveiled new sanctions targeting Russian media outlets, including RT, which he accused of “operating as a de facto branch of the (Russian) intelligence services.”

Blinken said the news network had tried to undermine democracy in the United States and elsewhere and erode global support for Ukraine, and he urged other nations to join the assault on Russian media in a “joint diplomatic campaign.”

“We urge every ally, every partner, to begin by treating RT’s activities as they treat other Russian intelligence activities within their borders,” Blinken said.

New Delhi has not responded officially to the call. India’s foreign ministry has remained silent on the issue. In private conversations, however, Indian diplomats have said that the country does not adhere to unilateral sanctions that are not imposed by the UN and will continue to pursue an independent foreign policy, The Hindu reports.

The matter “is not India’s business at all,” an unnamed Indian diplomat told the outlet.

Former Indian Foreign Minister and RT contributor Kanwal Sibal sharply criticized the new US attack on Russian media, expressing confidence that New Delhi would not participate in it under any circumstances.

“This will be seen as a double standard by the countries in the South that they are trying to target. India will obviously not be receptive to such US pressure,” he said.

(RT.com)