India's Foreign Minister Defends Russian Oil Purchases, Cites US Encouragement and European Weapon Sales to India's Adversaries

During the Kultaranta Talks in Finland, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded to criticism of India's Russia policy by revealing that the United States directly asked India to continue purchasing Russian oil in 2022 to prevent disruptions in global energy markets. He emphasized that India's oil purchases are based on cost and availability, noting that after the Ukraine invasion, Russian crude became the most accessible option as European nations purchased Middle Eastern oil—India's traditional supplier. Jaishankar also criticized what he characterized as double standards in Western approaches, pointing out that European countries have sold weapons used against India for years, while India has never used Indian weapons against any European nation. He further highlighted inconsistencies in US policy, noting that Washington first imposed tariffs on India for buying Russian oil before later lifting sanctions on Russian seaborne oil. Throughout his remarks, Jaishankar maintained that India's foreign policy decisions are guided by national interest and energy security rather than geopolitical considerations.