European weapons used to attack India, Jaishankar's clear message to West

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar strongly defended India's purchase of Russian energy while also silencing western critics who questioned the morality of such ties. He said the West was in no position to lecture India on the purchase of Russian energy as made-in-Europe weapons had been used against India while India never supplied any weapon that could be used against the West.Speaking at a discussion on 'Emerging Powers and the New Geopolitical Competition' at the Kultaranta Talks in Finland, Jaishankar on Thursday said India's decision to buy Russian crude after the Ukraine war was driven by affordability and availability. He added that the US had itself encouraged India in 2022 to continue purchases to help stabilise global markets. When requested by the interlocutor to expand upon his statement, Jaishankar reiterated India's long-standing security concerns regarding Western arms supplies to the region. "Europe sells weapons, which are used to attack India. Not just now but for many years," he explained.

#WATCH | EAM Dr S Jaishankar participated in a panel discussion at Kultaranta Talks with Finland FM Elina Valtonen, and Assistant FM of UAE, Lana Nusseibeh on 'Emerging Powers and the New Geopolitical Competition'

He says, "I buy oil based on cost and availability. So at that… pic.twitter.com/KlYIy89hY5

— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2026

He said, India turned to Russian energy after the start of its war with Ukraine and the subsequent Western sanctions on Russian oil that disrupted global energy markets.