09 November,2022 02:21 PM IST | New Delhi | Agencies
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, right, welcomes EAM S Jaishankar for talks in Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday. Pic/PTI
India will continue buying Russian oil as it is advantageous for the country, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Tuesday after meeting his Russian counterpart. India has emerged as Russia's largest oil customer after China, as refiners snap up discounted Russian oil shunned by Western buyers over Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
India, the world's third-largest oil importer and a traditional ally of Russia, has not explicitly condemned what Russia calls its "special military operation in Ukraine", and Tuesday marked the fifth meeting this year between Jaishankar and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
"It is our fundamental obligation to ensure that the Indian consumer has the best possible access on most advantageous terms to international (oil and gas) markets," said Jaishankar. "In that respect we have seen that India and Russia relationship has worked to advantage. So if it works to my advantage I would keep that going."
The statement comes a month ahead of the US and its allies in the Group of Seven rich nations' plan to take steps to prevent Russia from profiting from oil by putting a cap on prices. The external affairs minister said his presence in Moscow to review bilateral cooperation speaks volumes about India-Russia cooperation.
ALSO READ
NATO to hold talks after Russia’s hypersonic missile attack
UN paves way for treaty on crimes against humanity
Moscow bans adoption of Russian children to countries that allow gender transition
6 mercenaries with Russia's Wagner group killed in extremist attack in Mali
Indian national arrested in US for illegally supplying aviation goods to Russia
"The fact that I am here today with a delegation to review our cooperation speaks about India-Russia cooperation to see how we can take it forward to create a long-term and sustainable basis, says it all," he said. Jaishankar further pointed out how for India, Russia has been a steady and time-tested partner.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
