‘Perplexed by Logic’: Jaishankar Hits Back at Criticism Over India’s Russian Oil Purchases; Modi and Macron Align on Global Crises’

New Delhi / Moscow — Amid escalating international scrutiny over India’s oil imports from Russia, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar strongly defended the nation’s position, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated their strategic coordination in addressing global conflicts.

Jaishankar’s Sharp Rebuttal to Western Criticism

During a press briefing in Moscow alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, EAM S. Jaishankar expressed deep “perplexity” at the logic behind punitive U.S. tariffs imposed on India’s continued oil purchases from Russia. Jaishankar emphasized:

• India is not the biggest purchaser of Russian oil—that distinction belongs to China.
• India is also not the largest buyer of Russian LNG—that is the European Union.
• India is not the country with the biggest trade surge with Russia post-2022; some nations to the South” exceed India in that regard.
• Hypocrisy stands out, especially as India also imports oil from the United States, and its volumes from America have been rising as well.
• Jaishankar reinforced that earlier, the U.S. had encouraged India to “do everything to stabilize the world energy market, including buying oil from Russia.”

Jaishankar’s bold response underscores India’s view that global energy market stability, sovereignty, and fairness in diplomacy should guide energy policy—rather than selective moral posturing.

India–Russia: Deepening Ties Despite Western Pressure

According to Reuters, amid U.S. tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods, India and Russia have committed to strengthening their trade partnership following recent high-level dialogues in Moscow. Key discussion points include:

• Expansion of energy cooperation and joint projects in the Russian Far East and Arctic.
• Leveraging India’s export strengths in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and textiles to address trade imbalances.
• Resolving non-tariff and regulatory barriers to facilitate smoother bilateral trade flows.

Modi–Macron Coordination: A Unified Diplomatic Front

In a significant diplomatic move, French President Emmanuel Macron reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders:

• Discussed ongoing efforts toward peaceful resolutions in Ukraine and West Asia.
• Shared insights from recent international discussions, including meetings held in Washington and Alaska.
• Reaffirmed the intent to step up economic collaboration and strategic cooperation, notably under the banner of strengthening India–France relations, including the 2026 ‘Year of Innovation’.

These exchanges reflect both nations’ resolve to assert independent, yet aligned positions on global geopolitical challenges.

Summary Table

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