India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, strongly defended the country’s decision to purchase Russian crude oil during a geopolitical discussion in Finland on Thursday, arguing that India’s energy choices were driven by affordability and market realities rather than political considerations. Speaking at the Kultaranta Talks in Naantali, Jaishankar responded to criticism that New Delhi had been overly sympathetic to Moscow following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. He maintained that India’s actions were guided by national interests and the need to secure stable energy supplies for its population.

Addressing a session titled “Emerging Powers and the New Geopolitical Competition,” Jaishankar explained that global energy market disruptions had significantly altered traditional supply chains. He noted that many European nations increased purchases from Middle Eastern suppliers after sanctions were imposed on Russia, reducing availability for countries such as India. According to the minister, these circumstances led India to source larger volumes of crude oil from Russia, which was readily available and competitively priced at the time.

Jaishankar also challenged European criticism by drawing attention to India’s longstanding security concerns. In a pointed remark, he stated that no European nation had been attacked with Indian-made weapons, while arguing that European-origin arms had, over the years, been used in ways that affected India’s security interests. He asserted that India had never acted in a manner that endangered European security and suggested that this perspective should be considered when evaluating New Delhi’s foreign policy decisions.

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Expanding on the issue, the minister argued that discussions on international trade, defence cooperation and energy security often involve complex realities that cannot be viewed through a single moral or political lens. He maintained that countries must be allowed to make sovereign decisions based on their economic requirements and national security priorities. Jaishankar’s comments reflected India’s consistent position that strategic autonomy remains central to its foreign policy approach.

The minister further recalled the early stages of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, when global energy markets experienced significant volatility. According to Jaishankar, the United States had acknowledged India’s role in helping stabilise oil markets during that period. He stated that Washington had encouraged India to continue purchasing available crude supplies, including Russian oil, to prevent further disruptions and support global energy stability.

Jaishankar concluded by questioning what he described as inconsistencies in Western approaches toward sanctions, trade and geopolitical partnerships. He cautioned against applying selective standards to international relations and emphasised the need for a balanced understanding of the challenges facing developing economies. His remarks underscored India’s continued defence of its energy policies and its broader commitment to pursuing foreign policy decisions based on national interests and strategic considerations.

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