India, Dec. 6 -- Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin criticised the United States' stand on India's purchase of Russian oil, while calling it "hypocritical".

"The US is being hypocritical because we purchase from Russia. We purchase goods and materials for which we don't have alternative markets. We are being hypocritical when we lecture India," Rubin said in an interview with ANI news agency.

Rubin further said that India "needs energy", adding that it is the "world's most populous country." "What Americans don't understand is that Indians elected Prime Minister Modi to represent Indian interests," the official said.

The former Pentagon official also questioned whether the US can provide India the fuel it needs at lower prices and ...