India’s High Commissioner in Britain, Vikram Doraswami, has rejected India’s criticism for the purchase of oil from Russia. He said that no country can close its economy in one stroke. In an interview to Britain’s Times Radio, he also said that many European countries are buying energy and rare minerals from the same sources that they are refusing to buy India.

Questioning the dual policy of Western countries, Doraiswami said, “Many European countries are still buying rare meanings and energy products from the same sources that they are refusing to buy us. Is it not contradictory?”

Why is India buying Russian oil?

India, which is the third largest oil importer in the world, earlier bought most of the oil from the middle East, but after the Russia’s invasion and Western sanctions in 2022, Russia began selling oil at a huge discount to attract alternative buyers. India took advantage of this opportunity.

Doraswami said, “Our traditional energy sources have now taken away others and prices have increased considerably. We import more than 80% oil of our needs. What option do we have? Do we stop our economy?”

Cleaning on India’s relations with Russia

On the question asked on the closeness of India with Russia, he said, “Our relationship is not just a leader or government based.

He also said that just as other countries form a relationship on the basis of their national interests, in the same way India also takes decisions keeping in mind its energy and strategic interests.

India’s stand on Ukraine War

Doraswami also reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly said that it is not a time of war. He said that PM Modi has said this to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodimir Jailonski. He further said, “India wants to see this war ending soon, like we want a peaceful solution to all the struggles going on all over the world.”

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