India on Monday strongly defended importing oil from Russia during the ongoing Ukraine conflict and said it is largely driven by market forces. Moreover, European Union (EU) has bought more oil from Russia than India during the last few months, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said.
This assertion in the backdrop of some European nations and the US criticizing India for procuring fuel from Russia came during talks here with his visiting German counterpart Annalena Baerbock. She arrived on Monday for a two-day visit to India.
Enunciating New Delhi’s position on the war, Jaishankar also said India's position on the Ukraine issue is clear that this is not an era of war and that the conflict should be resolved through dialogue.
As regards the issue of oil, he said, “The European Union from February to November has imported more fossil fuel from Russia than the next 10 countries combined. The oil import in European Union is six times what India has imported, gas is infinite times because we don't import it.”
Addressing a joint press meet with the German minister after talks, Jaishankar also said “I would urge you to look at these figures. There is a website called 'Russia Fossil Fuel Tracker' it would give you country-by-country data of who is really importing what and I suspect that might be very very helpful.” Russian war in Ukraine brought difficulty for Indian energy supply, the German Minister said.
Jaishankar said there is a finite amount of energy resources and Europe cannot make choices to prioritise its energy needs while asking India to do something else. Jaishankar said the situation in Afghanistan and cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan figured in talks with his German counterpart. He said there cannot be talks with Pakistan if it continues cross-border terrorism.
On the signing of the mobility pact between India and Germany, he said it is a strong signal of basis for a more contemporary bilateral partnership. The agreement will make it easier for people to study, do research and work in each other's country. On trade ties, Jaishankar said Germany is India’s largest partner in the EU. India also flagged the issue of delay in visas by Germany.
The visiting German minister described India as a role model for many countries and noted that Berlin wants to bolster its security cooperation with New Delhi. Asked about challenges facing the region from China, Baerbock said there is a need to assess the threats while describing Beijing as a competitor and rival in many ways.