External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a sharp rebuttal to recent accusations by the United States and European nations regarding India’s oil purchases from Russia, during the Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025.
Addressing the criticism, Jaishankar stated, “If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don’t buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it.” He added, “It’s funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business.”
Highlighting India’s priority on domestic interests, he explained, "People do talk to each other. It's not like there's a 'kutti' there... Where we are concerned, the red lines are primarily the interests of our farmers and, to some extent, of our small producers... We, as a government, are committed to defending the interests of our farmers and our small producers. We are very determined on that. That's not something that we can compromise on..."
The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that India is not the only country sourcing oil from Russia. Nations like China and EU members maintain similar trade ties without facing comparable penalties. Jaishankar argued that the US is applying selective pressure, noting, “We are not the largest buyer. Others are doing it too. So, why us?”
He also reminded that the US previously encouraged India to participate in stabilizing global energy markets, including purchasing oil from Russia. The comments come amid Trump administration plans to impose a 50% tariff, along with an additional 25% penalty, on India’s expanding energy trade with Russia—a move India condemned as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.”
On broader international relations, Jaishankar addressed US-Pakistan dynamics, saying, "They have a history with each other, and they have a history of overlooking their history. It is the same military that went into Abbottabad (in Pakistan) and found who there?..."
Regarding Trump’s diplomatic approach, he noted, “Trump’s way of dealing with the world is a major departure from tradition,” criticizing the administration for announcing key decisions publicly before engaging affected nations diplomatically. He emphasized that such methods mark a notable shift not just in India-US relations but also in domestic and global policy management.
