‘Buy Russian Oil, Then Don’t?’: S Jaishankar Calls Out West’s Double Standards, Reveals What US Asked India During Ukraine Crisis

Helsinki: India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has sharply criticised what he described as the “double standards” of Western countries on Russian oil, arguing that India’s decision to purchase crude from Russia after the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine War was driven by necessity rather than politics.

Addressing an audience during a visit to Finland, Jaishankar said India’s energy choices were shaped by market conditions and national interests, not by geopolitical alignments.

His remarks come at a time when India’s oil imports from Russia continue to attract scrutiny in some Western capitals, despite shifting policies from those very countries.

“We Bought Oil Based on Cost and Availability”

Responding to questions about India’s ties with Moscow, Jaishankar rejected suggestions that New Delhi had been overly sympathetic toward Russia.

According to the minister, when Western sanctions disrupted global energy markets in 2022, India faced a difficult situation. Traditional suppliers in the Middle East were witnessing increased demand from European nations, forcing India to look elsewhere for affordable energy supplies.

“India buys oil based on cost and availability,” Jaishankar said, emphasizing that the country’s primary responsibility is ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion citizens.

He also pointed out that Russian crude remained one of the few large-scale sources available in the market at a time when supply chains were under severe stress.

A Message to the West: Consistency Matters

In one of his strongest observations, Jaishankar questioned the changing approach adopted by Western governments toward Russian oil.

He noted that sanctions and restrictions have often been imposed, relaxed, and reintroduced depending on global circumstances. Such policy shifts, he argued, reveal that economic realities frequently outweigh political rhetoric.

Without naming specific countries, Jaishankar suggested that the same governments that criticised India’s purchases later adjusted their own policies when global oil prices threatened economic stability.

His comments appeared to underline New Delhi’s long-standing position that energy security cannot be compromised for political messaging.

Trade Tensions and Tariff Disputes

The issue of Russian oil has also influenced broader trade discussions between India and the United States.

Last year, trade relations faced turbulence after the administration of Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods. Part of the tariff structure was linked to India’s continued purchases of Russian crude.

Although subsequent negotiations led to reductions in those tariffs, the episode highlighted the growing intersection between geopolitics, trade, and energy policy.

Analysts believe India’s position has remained remarkably consistent throughout the debate. New Delhi has repeatedly stated that its energy procurement decisions will continue to be guided by affordability, supply security, and national economic interests.

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Europe’s “Moral Ambiguity”

Jaishankar also broadened his criticism beyond the energy debate, taking aim at what he called Europe’s selective approach to global conflicts.

The minister argued that while some European nations have questioned India’s decisions, they have simultaneously continued policies that New Delhi views as contradictory.

He highlighted concerns regarding arms sales and security issues, suggesting that countries often apply different standards depending on whose interests are involved.

The remarks reflect a growing confidence in India’s foreign policy approach, which increasingly emphasizes strategic autonomy rather than alignment with any single geopolitical bloc.

India’s Balancing Act Continues

Since the start of the Ukraine conflict, India has walked a careful diplomatic line. While maintaining strong ties with Western nations, it has also preserved its long-standing relationship with Russia.

That balancing act has allowed India to secure energy supplies, protect economic growth, and maintain flexibility in a rapidly changing global order.

Jaishankar’s comments in Finland reinforce a message that New Delhi has delivered consistently over the past few years: India will make decisions based on its national interests, even when those choices draw criticism abroad.

As global power dynamics continue to evolve, India appears determined to chart its own course—one guided by pragmatism rather than pressure.