India's Foreign Minister Defends Russian Oil Purchases, Cites US Encouragement and European Weapon Sales to India's Adversaries
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at the Kultaranta Talks in Helsinki, defended India's purchase of Russian oil by revealing that the United States itself asked India to buy Russian crude in 2022 to stabilize global energy markets. He also pushed back against European criticism by asserting that European countries have long sold weapons used to attack India, while India has never endangered Europe. The remarks highlight India's assertive posture on energy sovereignty and expose what New Delhi sees as Western double standards on Russia policy.
Speaking at a conference in Helsinki hosted by Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar forcefully defended India's energy and foreign policy decisions in the face of Western criticism. He disclosed that in 2022, the United States directly asked India to purchase Russian oil in order to stabilize global markets after European sanctions disrupted supply chains, and noted that India had not been a significant buyer of Russian crude before the Ukraine war. Jaishankar criticized the US for subsequently imposing tariffs on India for buying Russian oil and then lifting sanctions, calling the shifting positions inconsistent and dismissing the notion that any firm principle guided Western policy. He also turned the tables on European critics, stating that European nations have sold weapons that have been used to attack India for many years, while India has never done anything to endanger Europe — though he did not specify which weapons or conflicts he was referring to. India currently sources nearly 40% of its oil from Russia, while the United States has become its largest gas supplier as of early 2026. Jaishankar framed India's energy decisions as driven purely by cost, availability, and national interest, rejecting characterizations of the purchases as geopolitically motivated or overly sympathetic to Moscow.
What's missing
Jaishankar did not specify which European countries or which conflicts he was referring to when alleging that European weapons have been used to attack India, and no source clarifies this. Additionally, no source provides independent corroboration or denial from US officials regarding Jaishankar's claim that Washington explicitly asked India to buy Russian oil in 2022.
How coverage differed
All outlets reported the core facts consistently, but Deutsche Welle added a notable editorial caveat absent from Indian sources, observing that 'it was unclear what weapons sales or attacks Jaishankar was referring to' when he accused Europe of selling arms used against India — a qualification that Indian outlets like Times of India and NDTV did not include.
What different sources said
- NDTVCenter
'US Asked Us To Buy Russian Oil, Levied Tariff, Then Lifted It': S Jaishankar
- Times of IndiaCenter
'Europeans sell weapons used to attack India': Jaishankar clears New Delhi's stance on Russian oil
- BloombergCenter
India Bought Russian Oil From 2022 on US Request, Minister Says
- FirstpostCenter
'Europe sells weapons which are used to attack India': Jaishankar hits back over Russia-Ukraine stance
- Deutsche WelleCenter
India news: FM blasts Europe criticism of buying Russian oil
- India TodayCenter
Imports under the price cap: Finland Minister defends India's Russian oil buys
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