Jaishankar Defends India’s Russian Oil Imports, Calls Out Europe Over Arms Sales

Helsinki: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday firmly defended India's decision to import Russian crude oil, saying the move was driven by practical considerations such as affordability and availability. At the same time, he questioned European nations over their record of supplying weapons that have been used against India.

Speaking at the Kultaranta Talks in Helsinki during a panel discussion on "Emerging Powers and the New Geopolitical Competition," Jaishankar responded to criticism that India has been overly sympathetic to Russia during the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

Addressing concerns over India's increased purchases of Russian oil, Jaishankar said the decision was influenced by market realities at the time.

"I buy oil based on cost and availability," he said, noting that European countries had turned to Middle Eastern suppliers after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, leaving Russian crude more accessible to countries like India.

"Much of the oil available in the market was Russian because Europeans were essentially buying oil from the Middle East, which was our traditional supplier. Circumstances pushed us in a certain direction," he explained.

The External Affairs Minister also pushed back against what he described as Europe's "moral ambiguity" on the issue. He pointed out that while European-made weapons have been used against India over the years, India has never supplied arms that have threatened any European country.

"No European country has been attacked with Indian weapons. I wish I could say that for European weapons vis-à-vis India. So, keep that in mind," Jaishankar remarked.

When asked to elaborate, he reiterated India's long-standing concerns over arms supplied by European nations finding their way into conflicts affecting India's security.

"Europeans sell weapons which are used to attack India, not now, but for many years. We Indians have never done anything to endanger Europe. I think that's a reasonable point," he said.

India has consistently maintained that its energy purchases are guided by national interest, energy security and the welfare of its citizens. New Delhi has also continued to advocate dialogue and diplomacy as the path to resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
 

With inputs from IANS