Jaishankar defends India’s crude oil imports from Russia, says ‘it is best deal’

BANGKOK: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who is in Thailand to attend the 9th India-Thailand Joint Commission Meeting defended India’s crude oil imports from Russia by terming it the “best deal” for the country.

Addressing the Indian community in Bangkok, he discussed the surge in energy prices across the world due to the Russia-Ukraine war and said, “We have been very open and honest about our inter- est. I have a country with a per capita income of $2000, these are not people who can afford higher energy prices. It’s my moral duty to ensure the best deal.” During his assessment of global oil prices, Jaishankar said that oil and gas prices are unreasonably highthroughout the world.

According to him, Europe was buying more oil from the Middle East countries which were Asia’s traditional suppliers, however, now it was diverted to Europe. He also said that the US knows India’s position on Russian oil import and has “moved on”, add- ing that in such circumstances “India is open about its interests, wants the best deal.”

While defending India’s oil imports from Russia, Jaishan- kar stressed that it is important to understand how the Ukraine conflict is impacting the develop- ing countries. He also questioned why only India was being ques- tioned while Europe continues to import gas from Russia amid the Ukraine war.

Responding to a question on whether India’s oil imports from Russia are not funding the Ukraine war, Jaishankar asked, “India buying Russia oil is funding the war… Tell me is that buy- ing Russian gas not funding the war?”

“It’s only Indian money and Russian oil coming to India fund- ing the war and not Russia’s gas coming to Europe not funding? Let’s be a little even-handed,” the external affairs minister had said.