Indian Envoy Defends Russian Oil Imports Amid Western Criticism

India’s High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, has defended India’s continued oil imports from Russia, rejecting Western criticism as hypocritical given that many European nations still procure rare earths and energy from Russia. Doraiswami emphasized that India, as the world's third-largest energy consumer, imports over 80% of its energy and cannot 'switch off its economy' due to external pressure. He explained that India's energy partnership with Russia intensified after India was displaced from other energy markets, resulting in higher costs. Doraiswami also cited India’s historical defense ties with Russia, developed when Western nations refused to sell arms to India, while supplying adversarial neighbors. He highlighted the double standards in Western expectations and stated that India maintains relationships based on its national interests, not a 'test of loyalty.' On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Doraiswami reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s repeated calls for peace and dialogue, asserting India’s commitment to a balanced diplomatic stance.