External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has delivered a stern and uncompromising response to European nations regarding their criticism of India's decision to purchase oil from Russia. During his visit to Europe, specifically in Finland, the Minister highlighted a significant moral and historical contradiction in the stance taken by Western powers, while he pointed out that while Europe questions India's energy choices, it continues to sell weaponry to nations that use those very arms to attack India. This statement marks a sharp escalation in India's diplomatic rhetoric, emphasizing national interest over external pressure.
The Kultaranta Talks and Geopolitical Competition
The remarks were made during a panel discussion titled Emerging Powers and the New Geopolitical Competition at the Kultaranta Talks in Finland, while minister Jaishankar was joined by Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and the UAE's Assistant Foreign Minister Lana Nusseibeh. The discussion, reported by news agency ANI, took a sharp turn when a journalist questioned the Minister about India's perceived sympathy towards Russia and its eagerness to buy Russian oil. In response, Jaishankar highlighted 2 critical points, emphasizing India's pragmatic approach to ensuring national interest and energy security.
Historical and Moral Inconsistencies
Addressing the issue of security and arms supply, Jaishankar pointed out the historical and moral inconsistencies in Europe's position. He stated that Europe sells weapons which are also used to attack India. He emphasized that this isn't a recent development but has been occurring for many years. In a powerful comparison, he noted that no European country has ever been attacked by Indian weapons, expressing a wish that the same could be said for European weapons in the context of India's security. He reiterated that Indians have never done anything to put Europe at risk, making his critique a matter of fairness and reciprocity.
Oil Purchase Logic and Market Dynamics
Explaining the rationale behind purchasing Russian oil, the External Affairs Minister stated that his decisions are based on price and availability, while he explained that at the time when India increased its intake, most of the oil available in the market was from Russia. This was because European countries had shifted their focus to the Middle East to secure their own energy needs. Since the Middle East was also India's traditional supplier, the shift in European demand forced India to look elsewhere to ensure its own energy security. He described this as a situation where circumstances forced India in a specific direction.
The Role of the United States and Global Stability
Jaishankar also touched upon the events of 2022, noting that even the United States recognized India's role in stabilizing the global energy market. According to the Minister, Washington had encouraged New Delhi to continue buying Russian crude oil to prevent major disruptions in supply and to keep global inflation under control. He pointed out the irony in the shifting policies of Western nations, mentioning that after imposing heavy tariffs on India for buying Russian oil, the US eventually removed its own sanctions on Russian oil. He remarked that these policy shifts suggest that the actions aren't based on high principles but on convenience.
A Critique of Moral Posturing
Concluding his response, Jaishankar took a swipe at what he described as a game of shifting policies. He stated that policies are implemented one day and ended the next, depending on whether they suit the interests of the powers involved. He asserted that we're all sensible people and understand how this game is played, while by saying this, he dismissed the idea that the criticism directed at India was rooted in genuine moral or principled concerns, labeling it instead as a form of moral posturing that ignores the practical realities of global geopolitics.