Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called out Western double standards and hypocrisy while talking about criticism of India over its stand on Russia-Ukraine conflict, and Indian purchase of Russian oil.
Indian EAM was speaking during a discussion on ‘Emerging Powers and the New Geopolitical Competition’ at the Kultaranta Talks in Finland.
When a a journalist suggested India had been too sympathetic to Russia and too willing to buy oil from Russia, Jaishankar said, “I’ll make two observations. I buy oil based on cost and availability. So at that point of time, much of the oil available in the market was Russian because Europeans were essentially buying oil from the Middle East which was our traditional supplier. So circumstances pushed us in a certain direction.”
The Indian External Affairs Minister also mentioned that the United States had encouraged India to buy Russian oil at the time to help stabilise global energy markets and prevent a sharp rise in oil prices.
#WATCH | Finland: EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "Europeans sell weapons which are used to attack India. Not now, for many, years. We Indians have never done anything to endanger Europe. So I think that's a reasonable point."
— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2026
EAM Dr S Jaishankar participated in a panel discussion at… pic.twitter.com/6StT3k9uoH
Further, pointing out the hypocrisy of Europe, the EAM said, “No European country has been attacked with Indian weapons. I wish I could say that for Europe weapons vis-a-vis India.”
He further added, “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.”
S Jaishankar has repeatedly called out the double standards of Europe, and has called out the needless criticism of India for buying Russian oil.
