India’s Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, defended New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil and criticised European arms exports during a panel discussion on “Emerging Powers and the New Geopolitical Competition” at the Kultaranta Talks in Finland on 11 June.
Responding to a question about India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine war, Jaishankar said India’s energy decisions were driven by practical considerations rather than political alignment.
“I buy oil based on cost and availability,” he said, arguing that market conditions following the outbreak of the war led India to source more crude from Russia as European countries increased purchases from the Middle East.
Addressing accusations of “moral ambiguity”, Jaishankar added: “No European country has been attacked with Indian weapons. I wish I could say that for European weapons vis-à-vis India.”
When pressed to clarify the remark, he said: “Europeans sell weapons which are used to attack India. Not now, for many, many years. We Indians have never done anything to endanger Europe.”
The comments reflect India’s long-standing position of strategic autonomy in foreign policy and its defence of continued trade with Russia despite Western criticism.
Indian officials have consistently argued that national energy security, affordability and supply stability remain key priorities, while also raising concerns about past arms sales to Pakistan by some European countries.
ℹ️ ANI News
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