New Delhi: India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has strongly defended New Delhi’s decision to purchase Russian oil following the Ukraine conflict, while accusing European nations of applying double standards in their criticism of India’s energy policy.
Speaking at the Kultaranta Talks in Finland during a discussion on emerging geopolitical competition, Jaishankar rejected suggestions that India had been overly sympathetic to Russia. He argued that India’s oil purchases were guided by affordability, availability and energy security rather than political considerations.
Responding to questions about India’s continued imports of Russian crude, Jaishankar highlighted what he described as a contradiction in Europe’s position. He noted that European countries had supplied weapons that were later used against India, while India had never provided arms that threatened any European nation.
“No European country has been attacked with Indian weapons. I wish I could say that for Europe’s weapons vis-à-vis India,” he said, adding that Western nations had supplied arms to the region for decades despite India’s security concerns.
The minister explained that market conditions in 2022 pushed India towards Russian oil after many European countries increased purchases from India’s traditional suppliers in the Middle East. As a result, a significant portion of available crude on the global market came from Russia.
Jaishankar also revealed that the United States had encouraged India to buy Russian oil at the time to help stabilise global energy markets and prevent a sharp surge in prices. He criticised the shifting stance of some Western governments on Russian energy trade, arguing that policy decisions had often changed according to geopolitical circumstances.
Emphasising India’s pragmatic approach, Jaishankar said the country purchases oil based on commercial viability and national requirements. He noted that Russia remains India’s largest crude oil supplier, while the United States is its biggest supplier of natural gas.
India has consistently maintained that ensuring affordable energy for its population remains a key priority, despite ongoing Western sanctions on Moscow following the Ukraine war.
