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S Jaishankar Defends India's Purchase Of Russian Oil After EU Calls For Action

The bloc's chief diplomat earlier said that the EU should crack down on India reselling Russian oil as refined fuels including diesel into Europe as Western nations move to tighten sanctions on Moscow's energy sector

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 17 May 2023 5:19 am

EAM S Jaishankar

After?EU Foreign policy chief's remarks calling for action against Indian refined products from Russian crude, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar?advised him to look at EU Council regulations.

"Look at EU Council regulations, Russian crude is substantially transformed in the third country and not treated as Russian anymore. I would urge you to look at Council's Regulation 833/2014," said Mr Jaishankar.

#WATCH | My understanding of council regulations is that Russian crude is substantially transformed in a third country & not treated as Russian anymore. I would urge you to look at Council's Regulation 833/2014: EAM Dr Jaishankar when asked about EU Foreign Policy chief Josep… pic.twitter.com/5Dh5PH9yfX
— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2023

"India buys Russian oil, it's normal... " said EU's Foreign policy chief Borrell but wants the bloc to act on refined products coming from India-made Russian crude in an interview with Financial Times.

Earlier too,?Jaishankar had defended India's imports from Russia while also indirectly criticising the West for pressurising them to minimise trade with Russia in view of its military action on?Ukraine.

"Our trade with Russia is at a very small level -- $12-13 billion, in comparison to European countries. We have also given the Russians a set of products... I don't think people should read more into it other than the legitimate expectations of any trading country to increase its trade," Jaishankar had said in last December while addressing a joint press conference with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock, according to a report by India Today.

The EAM was in Belgium for the?first meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC). With this, he?concluded?a three-nation tour which began in Bangladesh last week and also covered Sweden for the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (EIPMF) in Stockholm.

(With inputs from PTI)