“Let’s not be hypocritical”: Indian Foreign Minister says he bought oil from Russia at Washington’s request

India’s foreign minister said that Washington itself asked Delhi to buy Russian oil to stabilize the global oil market.

India has been buying Russian oil since 2022 at the direct request of the US — in order to keep world prices low. Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said this at an event in Kultaranta (Finland), Bloomberg reports.

“Then the US specifically asked India to buy Russian oil to stabilize the oil market. I buy oil based on cost and availability,” Jaishankar said.

According to him, the situation was further determined by the market context. After the introduction of sanctions against Russia, the Europeans reoriented to Middle Eastern oil, which was a traditional supplier for India.

“At that time, a significant part of the oil available on the market came from Russia, because the Europeans were buying oil from the Middle East, which was our traditional supplier. Circumstances pushed us in a certain direction,” he explained.

Jaishankar also sharply criticized the practice of periodic implementation and postponement of American sanctions on Russian oil.

“Let’s not pretend that this is about some great principles. I don’t think there is really any reason to be hypocritical on this issue,” the minister said.

Recall that the day before, the US hit a tanker in the Gulf of Oman carrying Iranian oil. There was an Indian crew on board, three sailors died.

Meanwhile, Russia is reducing oil exports from ports by almost half — due to fuel shortages and strikes on refineries.