Jaishankar Defends India's Russian Oil Imports, Slams European Arms Sales
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has strongly defended India's decision to purchase crude oil from Russia, calling out the hypocrisy in Western criticism. Speaking at the Kultaranta Talks in Finland, he emphasized that India's energy choices are driven by cost and availability, not political alignment.
During a discussion on 'Emerging Powers and the New Geopolitical Competition', a journalist questioned India's stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, accusing New Delhi of being too sympathetic to Moscow. Jaishankar responded by highlighting the practical realities of global energy markets.
“I buy oil based on cost and availability. At that point, much of the available oil was Russian because Europeans were buying from the Middle East, our traditional supplier. Circumstances pushed us in that direction,” he explained.
Jaishankar also pointed out a stark contrast in global security dynamics: “No European country has been attacked with Indian weapons. I wish I could say the same for European weapons vis-à-vis India.” He elaborated that Europe has sold arms that were subsequently used against India, both historically and in recent times.
The minister recalled that in 2022, the United States itself encouraged India to buy Russian crude to stabilize energy markets and prevent global inflation spikes following Western sanctions on Russia. “The US directly asked India to buy Russian oil to stabilize the oil market,” Jaishankar stated.
He also criticized the selective moral lens applied by Western nations in their sanction policies, urging a more consistent approach to global trade and energy security. The remarks underscore India's pragmatic foreign policy, balancing national interests with global responsibilities.
