External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has sharply criticized the United States for its shifting stance on tariffs regarding India's procurement of Russian oil, dismissing claims of any overarching principle behind Washington's policies. Speaking at the Kultaranta Talks in Finland, Jaishankar labeled the US approach as inconsistent and self-serving.
Jaishankar Calls Out Inconsistent US Tariff Policy
During a discussion on 'Emerging Powers and the New Geopolitical Competition,' Jaishankar directly addressed the US's 'sanctimonious tariffs' on India. He highlighted that the US had previously encouraged India to purchase Russian oil to stabilize global markets, only to impose tariffs later, and then subsequently lift those sanctions.
“Let’s not pretend that there is some great principle involved here. I mean it is on-off, on-off, do it when it suits us, don’t do it when it doesn’t suit us…I mean come on…we are all adults in the room, we know what the game is,” Jaishankar stated emphatically.
He argued that such actions demonstrate a lack of consistent principle, suggesting that US policy decisions are primarily driven by convenience and self-interest rather than moral grounds.
India's Defense of Russian Oil Purchases
Jaishankar also defended India's decision to continue buying Russian oil, noting that Russia has been a reliable supplier offering reasonable and available crude. He emphasized that India only began importing significant amounts of Russian oil in 2022 due to market circumstances.
Addressing questions about the moral implications of supporting Russia during the Ukraine conflict, the External Affairs Minister drew a stark contrast, pointing out that no Indian weapon has ever been used to attack a European country. Conversely, he noted that European weapons have been deployed in conflicts against India, underscoring a perceived double standard in international discourse.