USA lectures India on buying Russia weapons, after oil: Watch what Joe Biden's defense secretary said

The US continues to worry about India's stance as the Ukraine-Russia war stretches on. In the latest instance, the US Defense Secretary commented on India buying Russia defence equipment.

Lloyd Austin was speaking during a Congressional Hearing on the annual defence budget. Austin was asked by Representative Joe Wilson whether the government can offer more weapons to India to make Delhi reject Russia. Wilson said, "Our treasured ally India, the world's largest democracy, is choosing to align itself with the Kremlin by choosing Russian weapons systems over American and allied options. What weapons platforms could we offer through the military sales program that would incentivize Indian leaders to reject Putin?"

ALSO WATCH: 'Not in India's interest to buy Russian Oil': US

The defense secretary said that the Biden administration is trying to convince India that investing in Russian equipment is not in its interest. "We continue to work with them (India) to ensure that they understand that it's not in their -- we believe that -- it's not in their best interest to continue to invest in Russian equipment. And our requirement going forward is that they downscale the types of equipment that they're investing in and look to invest more in the types of things that will make us continue to be compatible," he said.

A big point of contention between Delhi and Washington currently is the S-400 missile defence system deal between India and Russia. USA has threatened sanctions against any nation which buys the missile system. India has been pressing Washington for an exception.