Indian FM says Russia “reliable supplier”, flags US energy policy inconsistencies

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has defended New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian crude, describing Russia as a “reliable supplier” and saying India’s energy choices are driven by price and availability rather than geopolitics.

Speaking at the Kultaranta Talks conference in Finland, Jaishankar rejected criticism that India has taken an inconsistent stance on the war in Ukraine, arguing instead that its energy policy reflects practical economic considerations, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

India’s foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said that before 2022 the country had not been a major buyer of Russian oil, but that changing circumstances had pushed it to enter the market. He argued that Russia had ensured reliable deliveries and that India had simply opted for what he described as the most practical and affordable option.

Jaishankar also pointed to what he characterised as shifting positions in Washington, saying the United States had earlier encouraged India to purchase Russian crude.

“At that time, the US specifically asked India to buy Russian oil to stabilize the oil market,” Jaishankar said. “I buy oil based on cost and availability.”

He added that some of those measures were later eased when lower global oil prices became a priority, highlighting what he described as inconsistencies in US policy.

He further warned against what he called hypocrisy in international economic debates, suggesting that policies were applied flexibly depending on changing interests.

“Let’s not pretend there’s some great principle involved here,” he said. “I don’t think making this about sanctimony is really warranted.”

In broader remarks, he also criticised European arms exports, arguing that weapons sold by European states have been used in conflicts involving India, while noting that India’s own military equipment had not been used against European countries.

By Aghakazim Guliyev