India's EAM Jaishankar Defends Russian Oil Purchases Amid Criticism

India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has firmly defended the country's decision to purchase energy from Russia while addressing concerns raised by Western nations. Speaking at the Kultaranta Talks in Finland, Jaishankar stated that the West cannot criticise India for its energy ties with Russia when European weapons have historically been used against India.

The discussion arose during a questioning regarding India's stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its importation of Russian oil. Jaishankar highlighted that, following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, European nations began sourcing oil from India's traditional suppliers in the Middle East, leaving India with limited options.

He asserted that affordability and availability drove India's choice to procure Russian crude oil, a move that peaked in August 2025, with imports reaching about two million barrels per day, positioning Russia as India's largest oil supplier. Jaishankar elaborated that the United States had previously encouraged India to continue importing Russian oil to help stabilise global energy markets disrupted by sanctions.

In his remarks, Jaishankar noted, "Europe sells weapons, which are used to attack India. Not just now but for many years," adding that India had never supplied arms that contributed to threats against European security.

He underscored the absence of Indian-made weapons being used against European nations, contrasting this with the weapons supplied by European countries that ended up in the hands of adversaries of India, notably Pakistan. Notably, Pakistan operates a significant number of European-produced military assets, including French-made Mirage jets and German rifles. Jaishankar indicated that India's historical context must be acknowledged, stating, "We Indians have never done anything to endanger Europe. I think that's a reasonable point."

Jaishankar’s comments emphasise India's pragmatic approach to energy acquisition, clearly indicating that decisions are primarily driven by cost and availability. The context of the ongoing geopolitical dynamics and historical relationships underlines the complexities surrounding energy dependencies and international arms sales, firmly situating India’s current stances within a broader narrative.

As India navigates its energy requirements amidst global criticism, Jaishankar’s statements reflect the country's insistence on maintaining an independent foreign policy while responding to immediate economic needs, as well as its long-standing security concerns in a region marked by historical tensions.