S Jaishankar Criticizes US Stance on Russian Oil, Calls Out Western ‘Double Standards’ on India’s Strategic Choices
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday sharply questioned what he described as the United States’ shifting position on India’s purchase of Russian crude oil, arguing that Washington had earlier encouraged New Delhi to buy Russian energy supplies before later criticizing the same decision and imposing tariffs.
Speaking at the “Emerging Powers and the New Geopolitical Competition” session during the Kultaranta Talks in Finland, Jaishankar challenged the consistency of the American approach.
He suggested that the issue was being viewed through a lens of convenience rather than principle, remarking that policies appeared to change depending on Washington’s interests at a given moment.
His comments came in response to a question regarding India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
During the discussion, a journalist suggested that New Delhi had shown excessive sympathy towards Moscow and had continued purchasing Russian oil despite international criticism.
Defending India’s decisions, Jaishankar said the country’s energy procurement strategy has always been guided by practical considerations such as affordability and availability rather than geopolitical pressures.
He explained that when global markets were disrupted following the outbreak of the conflict, a significant portion of accessible crude oil supplies originated from Russia, while many European nations turned increasingly towards Middle Eastern producers that had traditionally supplied India.
According to the minister, these changing market dynamics naturally influenced India’s purchasing decisions.
He stressed that ensuring affordable energy for a country of more than a billion people remained a fundamental national priority.
Jaishankar also recalled events from 2022, saying that the United States itself had acknowledged India’s role in helping maintain stability in global energy markets during a period of severe uncertainty.
He claimed that Washington had encouraged India to continue buying Russian oil to prevent supply disruptions and curb a potential surge in international fuel prices following Western sanctions on Moscow.
“At that time, the US directly encouraged India to purchase Russian oil to help stabilize global energy markets,” Jaishankar said, reiterating that India’s approach has consistently been driven by economic considerations and energy security requirements.
The External Affairs Minister further argued that discussions surrounding sanctions and energy trade often involve contradictions and selective interpretations.
He cautioned against applying moral judgments inconsistently while overlooking the complex realities of international commerce, energy dependence and economic stability.
Jaishankar Raises Concerns Over Europe’s Security Policies
During the same session, Jaishankar also addressed questions regarding Europe’s historical role in global security affairs and what he described as inconsistencies in the continent’s approach towards regional conflicts.
Responding to a question on security issues, the minister pointed out that no European country had ever faced attacks involving Indian-made weapons.
He contrasted this with India’s own experiences, suggesting that the same could not always be said regarding arms supplied by European nations.
“I wish I could say the same about European weapons in relation to India,” he remarked, highlighting what he viewed as India’s responsible and peaceful international conduct.
When asked to elaborate, Jaishankar reiterated India’s long-standing concerns about the flow of foreign military equipment into neighbouring regions and the implications such transfers have had for India’s security environment.
He noted that European-made weapons had, over the years, found their way into situations that directly affected India’s national interests.
Emphasizing India’s record, he said the country had never engaged in actions that threatened Europe’s security and therefore expected greater sensitivity to its own concerns.
“Europe has supplied weapons that have been used against India for decades. We have never done anything that endangered Europe. I believe that is a fair observation,” he said.
Strong Defence of India’s Strategic Autonomy
Jaishankar’s remarks in Finland reflect New Delhi’s continued effort to defend its independent foreign policy and strategic decision-making.
Throughout his engagements across Europe, the minister has repeatedly emphasized that India’s choices on energy, security and diplomacy are guided by national interests rather than external pressure.
His comments also underline India’s broader argument that global powers should apply consistent standards when evaluating issues related to sanctions, energy security, defence cooperation and international conflicts.
As geopolitical tensions continue to reshape global alliances and economic relationships, Jaishankar’s intervention serves as another indication of India’s willingness to openly challenge narratives it believes fail to account for the complexities of national interests and strategic autonomy.
