India Has Established Economic Ties With Russia, Even Europe Using Russian Oil: MEA Responds To Criticism

While justifying New Delhi's stand on buying oil from Moscow, Bagchi cited continuing procurement of crude oil from Russia by several European countries. 

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing invasion of Russia in Ukraine, India on Thursday stated that it has established economic relations with Moscow and also asserted that political colouring should not be attributed to the engagement.

Addressing a press conference earlier in the day the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that India has been very open about its engagement with Russia.

While justifying New Delhi's stand on buying oil from Moscow, Bagchi cited continuing procurement of crude oil from Russia by several European countries. 

"Our focus is on stabilising these relations in the current circumstances. We have been very open about it. I think that's very clear regarding our position. Energy flows to Europe are continuing, fertiliser purchasing have been insulated, there are such other examples also," he said.

The MEA spokesperson also informed that discussions are underway to see what kind of payment mechanism can work between India and Russia in the current circumstances.

Bagchi's response came on the backdrop of the growing criticism of New Delhi by several Western nations, including the United States, on its trade ties with Moscow notwithstanding the crisis in Ukraine.

Later in his address, Bagchi also responded to questions about global sanctions being imposed on Russia. 

"I don't think there's any such pressure. Talks of sanctions going on but it's not on the entire trade. A lot of trade is going on, trade of oil too. Our focus is to maintain and stabilise our established economic relations with Russia," he said.

Bagchi's remarks came days after US Deputy National Security Advisor Daleep Singh said that there will be consequences for countries that actively attempt to circumvent the sanctions imposed on Russia.

During his visit to India last week, Singh also asserted that the US does not want to see a rapid acceleration in India's imports from Russia of energy and other commodities prohibited by global sanctions regimes.

Earlier in the day, US President Joe Biden's top economic adviser said that the US warned India against partnering too closely with Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

So far, India has declined to level sanctions against Russia, as other countries have done. Some reports also suggest that India is the largest importer of weapons from Russia.