Jaishankar Refutes EU Foreign Policy Chief's Claim Against Indian Refined Fuels From Russian Crude

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar responded to European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Josep Borrell's call for action against Indian refined products from Russian crude by advising him to check EU Council regulations, on Tuesday (16 May).

"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 Jaishankar.

The EU's chief diplomat had urged action against India for reselling Russian oil as refined fuels, including diesel, as Western countries strengthen sanctions on Moscow's energy industry.

Borrell, speaking with Financial Times, said it's normal for India to buy Russian oil, but wants the bloc to act on refined products coming from India-made Russian crude.

Jaishankar on Monday (15 May) arrived in Brussels for the final stop on his three-nation tour of Bangladesh, Sweden, and Belgium.

Borrell, however, did not attend the subsequent press conference.

Margrethe Vestager, the EU Executive Vice President for Competition, was present instead. She said the sanctions imposed had a legal basis, and that the EU and India would have the discussion as "friends... with an extended hand and, of course, not a pointed finger."

India's External Affairs Minister had also previously defended India's imports from Russia, while indirectly criticising the West for pressuring New Delhi to reduce trade with Russia due to its military actions in Ukraine.

In December last year, stating that India's trade with Russia "is at a very small level... in comparison to European countries," Jaishankar said, "I don't think people should read more into it other than the legitimate expectations of any trading country to increase its trade."