India’s foreign minister says US urged Russian oil buys

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has publicly defended the country’s decision to significantly increase imports of Russian crude oil following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, stating the move was driven by affordability, availability, and a direct request from the United States to help stabilize global energy markets. Jaishankar made the remarks on Friday, June 12, during a panel discussion at the Kultaranta Talks in Finland.

Jaishankar explained that after Western sanctions were imposed on Russia, European nations shifted their energy purchases away from Russia and toward the Middle East, which was India’s traditional supplier. This shift intensified competition and altered global supply patterns. He stated that much of the oil readily available on the market at that time was Russian, and circumstances naturally pushed India toward those supplies. He emphasized that India’s energy decisions are based on cost and national interest rather than political alignment.

A key element of Jaishankar’s defense was his revelation that the United States initially encouraged India to buy Russian oil. He said that in 2022, U.S. officials specifically asked India to make the...