New Delhi, August 24: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday strongly defended India’s continued purchase of discounted Russian oil, asserting that the move is in the national interest and accusing the West of hypocrisy. However, his remarks sparked sharp criticism from the Opposition, who termed the situation a “diplomatic disaster” and accused the Modi government of mishandling foreign policy.
Responding to recent U.S. criticism that India is profiting from cheap Russian crude, Jaishankar dismissed the allegations, stating, “India’s oil imports serve both national and global interests.” He further noted that the earlier Trump administration had supported India’s energy strategy, questioning the shift in stance.
“Western nations, including the U.S. and EU, continue to buy Russian oil and gas in far larger volumes. If you have a problem buying from us, don’t buy. Nobody forces you,” Jaishankar said, pointing to what he described as clear Western double standards.
However, the Opposition remained unconvinced. Congress leader Salman Khurshid accused the government of being unprepared for diplomatic fallout and failing to establish a stable foreign policy. “We’ve lost credibility with long-standing allies and are now isolated. Our warming up to China, despite unresolved border tensions, further complicates our global image,” he said.
AAP leader Priyanka Kakkar questioned the economic impact of the oil imports, claiming that the benefits were limited to industrialists. “The common Indian has seen no relief at the petrol pump. Only the Modi government’s capitalist allies have profited,” she said, calling India’s current diplomatic standing its “lowest point in decades.”
Despite mounting political heat, Jaishankar stood firm, defending India’s sovereign right to decide its energy policy and rejecting claims that India is diplomatically cornered. “We act in our interest, not under external pressure,” he concluded.
