EAM Jaishankar Defends India’s Russian Oil Trade
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has defended India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, arguing that the Ukraine war will not end simply because countries stop buying energy or other commodities from Moscow. Speaking during an official visit to Kyiv, he said the conflict could only be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy and negotiation.
Jaishankar Defends India’s Russian Oil Purchases
Jaishankar said India must consider the energy requirements of 1.4 billion people at a time of significant global supply uncertainty.
He acknowledged Ukraine’s concerns over Russia’s energy revenues but said India also had its own economic and energy-security priorities that should be respected.
His remarks came in response to questions over whether India would reduce Russian oil imports if the United States imposed additional tariffs or sanctions on countries continuing to purchase Russian energy.
India Rejects Oil Trade as Key to Ending War
Jaishankar argued that the conflict would not be resolved based on whether countries bought Russian oil, minerals, metals, alumina or fertiliser.
He reiterated India’s longstanding position that negotiations, rather than economic pressure alone, would ultimately be required to end the war.
India has emerged as one of the largest buyers of Russian crude since Western sanctions reshaped global energy flows following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Jaishankar Meets Zelenskyy and Ukrainian FM
During his Kyiv visit, Jaishankar held talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and later met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
India said it remained willing to support peace efforts in any manner that could prove useful.
The two sides also discussed trade, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and commercial shipping, while India highlighted the impact of attacks on maritime trade and global food, fuel and fertiliser supplies.
