NEW DELHI: India’s energy purchases are determined by its national interest and the need to ensure adequate supplies for its 1.4 billion people, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday, reiterating New Delhi’s position on imports of Russian crude.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks while responding to questions about External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s recent comments during his visit to Ukraine. Jaishankar had said the Russia-Ukraine conflict would not be resolved by individual countries deciding whether to purchase Russian oil or other commodities.
Jaiswal said India’s approach to energy sourcing remains focused on meeting domestic requirements and protecting the country’s broader interests.
“Our national interest guides our energy purchases, and the imperative for us to meet the energy requirements of 1.4 billion people is what guides us, and that will continue to be our policy,” he said during the media briefing.
Jaishankar, speaking in Kyiv on Thursday, had stressed that the ongoing conflict could only be brought to an end through dialogue, diplomacy and negotiations.
“This conflict will be solved by dialogue, by diplomacy, and by negotiation,” he said, adding that India would continue to encourage efforts aimed at achieving peace.
His comments came during meetings with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The visit was aimed at strengthening bilateral engagement while discussing possible avenues for dialogue over the conflict.
Jaishankar also pointed to the challenges faced by India in maintaining energy security amid difficult conditions in global energy markets. He acknowledged that Ukraine has its own position regarding New Delhi’s purchases but said India expects its perspective to be respected as well.
“I think it’s also important that all of you get the challenges of providing for energy for 1.4 billion people at a time when the world energy situation is very, very difficult,” he said.
The minister added that Ukraine has its own perspective on India’s energy decisions, which New Delhi respects, while expecting other countries to similarly understand India’s position.
At Friday’s briefing, Jaiswal also explained the broader message conveyed by Jaishankar during his Ukraine visit. He said India has consistently maintained that the conflict should not be settled through military means.
According to Jaiswal, Jaishankar reiterated India’s position that this is not an era of war and that a lasting solution cannot emerge from the battlefield.
The spokesperson said the minister also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s repeated calls for an end to the prolonged conflict and stressed the need for the countries involved to find a path towards peace.
Jaiswal said India remains prepared to contribute in any way that could help bring the hostilities to an end.
“He further added that if India can be of any help in any manner to bring the war to an end, it is ready to do so,” the spokesperson said.
The MEA said Jaishankar’s visit was consistent with Modi’s recent diplomatic efforts and focused on examining the possibilities of dialogue and negotiations.
India has maintained an independent foreign policy approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, advocating diplomacy while simultaneously prioritising its energy security and economic requirements.
New Delhi has faced international scrutiny over its purchases of Russian crude since the conflict began. India has maintained that its energy decisions are driven by domestic needs and market considerations.
Modi has repeatedly called for an end to the fighting and urged all sides to pursue a peaceful settlement.
During his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Modi reiterated India’s support for peace efforts.
He said prolonged warfare harms humanity and stressed the need to move beyond an endless cycle of conflict.
India’s latest comments therefore underline its dual approach: maintaining access to reliable energy supplies while continuing diplomatic efforts aimed at encouraging a negotiated resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war.