Speaking at the Kultaranta Talks in Finland during a session titled “Emerging Powers and the New Geopolitical Competition,” Jaishankar responded to remarks by a journalist who accused India of being overly sympathetic toward Russia and excessively inclined to purchase Russian oil, according to a report by the news agency ANI.
Jaishankar rejected the criticism by emphasizing that India’s energy decisions are driven strictly by economic logic and availability. He stated that oil purchases are made on the basis of cost and supply conditions, noting that at the relevant time, a significant share of global oil availability came from Russia, while European countries were primarily sourcing crude from the Middle East, a traditional supplier for India. He said these circumstances effectively influenced global purchasing patterns.
Addressing concerns over military and geopolitical inconsistencies, Jaishankar highlighted that no European nation has ever been attacked using Indian-made weapons, underscoring India’s peaceful global conduct. He contrasted this with longstanding concerns that European arms exports have, in various contexts, been used in conflicts involving India. He reiterated that India has not undertaken any actions that threaten European security, calling attention to what he described as an unequal application of moral standards.
Jaishankar further referred to developments following the escalation of sanctions against Russia in 2022, stating that the United States had, at one stage, encouraged India to continue purchasing Russian crude oil to help stabilize global energy markets and prevent severe inflationary pressure. He pointed out that this position was later followed by the imposition of tariffs on India and subsequent policy adjustments by Washington regarding Russian oil, highlighting what he described as shifting policy signals.
Criticizing what he termed inconsistent global approaches, Jaishankar stated that policies appeared to change based on convenience rather than principle. He remarked that if positions are adopted and reversed depending on circumstance, then such actions reflect strategic flexibility rather than consistent moral grounding. He concluded that energy security and trade decisions cannot be evaluated through selective moral frameworks, especially in a complex and interdependent global system shaped by geopolitical competition.
The remarks underscore India’s continued emphasis on strategic autonomy in foreign policy and energy procurement, while also exposing growing tensions in global narratives surrounding sanctions, energy security, and the evolving balance of power.
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