Speaking in Finland, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar challenged Western criticism of India’s Russian oil purchases
Jaishankar Shows Mirror To Europe, Questions Moral High Ground On Russia
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar delivered a sharp critique of Europe’s moral posturing, accusing Western nations of applying different standards to India while overlooking their own strategic choices.
Speaking during his visit to Finland, Jaishankar questioned Europe’s claim to moral authority, pointing out that European weapons have been used against India for decades even as the continent continues to lecture New Delhi on its foreign policy decisions and ties with Russia.
Responding to questions about Europe’s concerns over India’s relationship with Moscow, Jaishankar said the debate often ignores uncomfortable realities. “No European country has been attacked with Indian weapons. I wish I could say that for Europe weapons vis-à-vis India,” he remarked.
When asked to elaborate, the minister was even more direct. “Europe sells weapons, which are used to attack India. Not just now but for many years. We Indians have never done anything to endanger Europe. I think that’s a reasonable point,” he said, taking aim at what he described as Europe’s selective approach to morality and security.
Having challenged Europe’s moral narrative, Jaishankar then turned to another example of what he called Western inconsistency — criticism of India’s purchase of Russian oil following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Terms Russia as a “steady” supplier of energy pic.twitter.com/5xYppOiZmY
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) June 11, 2026
Defending New Delhi’s decision, the External Affairs Minister revealed that the United States had itself encouraged India to buy Russian crude at the height of the global energy crisis in order to stabilise oil markets.
“At that time, the US specifically asked India to buy Russian oil to stabilise the oil market,” Jaishankar said while speaking at an event in Finland’s Kultaranta.
The minister explained that India’s decision was driven by economic realities rather than ideology. As European countries scrambled to secure energy supplies from the Middle East, one of India’s traditional sources of crude oil, Russian oil became one of the few readily available and commercially viable options.
“At that point of time, much of the oil available in the market was from Russia because Europeans were essentially buying up the Middle East oil, which was our traditional supplier. Circumstances pushed us in a certain direction,” he said.
Jaishankar reiterated that India purchases oil based on affordability and availability, rejecting suggestions that buying Russian crude reflected political alignment with Moscow.
He also criticised the shifting stance of Washington on Russian energy exports. According to Jaishankar, the United States first imposed penalties and tariffs linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil, only to later ease restrictions when geopolitical developments threatened global energy supplies.
“Right now, if you see, after having first put tariffs on us for buying Russian oil, the US then again lifted its sanctions,” he said.
The minister questioned attempts to portray the issue as a matter of principle, arguing that global powers routinely adjust their positions when strategic interests are at stake.
“Let’s not pretend there’s some great principle involved here. I don’t think making this about sanctimony is really warranted,” he remarked.
The issue became a significant point of contention in India-US trade ties when Washington imposed additional tariffs on Indian goods, including penalties linked to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil. However, the United States later relaxed restrictions and granted waivers as instability in West Asia threatened global crude supplies and raised fears of soaring energy prices.
Despite these policy reversals, India has consistently maintained that its energy decisions are guided by national interest and energy security requirements. Indian officials have repeatedly stated that the country purchased Russian oil before sanctions waivers, during the waiver period and continues to do so today based on commercial considerations.
Jaishankar’s remarks reflect a broader shift in India’s diplomatic posture, with New Delhi increasingly willing to challenge Western narratives and assert that strategic autonomy, rather than external pressure, will continue to shape its foreign policy choices.
His message from Finland was clear: nations that frequently invoke principles and values must also be prepared to confront their own contradictions.
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