The Western media asked S Jaishankar about Ukraine, oil imports and Russia-China relations. This is how India’s Foreign Minister responded...
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00We take up human rights issues when they arise in this country,
00:04especially when they pertain to our community.
00:07Whenever there is a discussion, I can tell you that we will not be reticent about speaking out.
00:15If you are looking at energy purchases from Russia,
00:19I would suggest that your attention should be focused on Europe.
00:23No, we did not discuss human rights during this meeting.
00:31Let me put it to you this way, so that there is clarity about where we stand on this matter.
00:38Look, people are entitled to have views about us,
00:43but we are also equally entitled to have views about their views,
00:47and about the interests and the lobbies and the World Banks which drive that.
00:54So, whenever there is a discussion, I can tell you that we will not be reticent about speaking out.
01:06I would also, just so that I round off that part,
01:11tell you that we also have views on other people's human rights situation,
01:16including that of the United States.
01:19So, we take up human rights issues when they arise in this country,
01:23especially when they pertain to our community.
01:31And there are a number of reports suggesting that Moscow and Delhi
01:34are trying to work out some sort of currency exchange for future energy purchases.
01:39If you are looking at energy purchases from Russia,
01:42I would suggest that your attention should be focused on Europe,
01:46which probably, we do buy some energy which is necessary for our energy security,
01:54but I suspect looking at the figures,
01:57probably our total purchases for the month would be less than what Europe does in an afternoon.
02:03So, you might want to think about it.
02:10Why not condemn Russia's invasion?
02:13Wouldn't this best reflect India's foreign policy goals and international standing?
02:19First of all, thank you for the advice and suggestions in your question.
02:24I prefer to do it my way and articulate it my way.
02:28We have made a number of statements which outline our position in the UN,
02:35in our parliament and in other forums.
02:38And briefly, what those positions state is that we are against the conflict,
02:44we are for dialogue and diplomacy,
02:47we are for urgent cessation of violence,
02:51and we are prepared to contribute in whatever way to these objectives.
02:56We are also addressing the humanitarian situation.
03:01In fact, the Ukrainians have been in touch with us, especially for the supply of medicines.
03:07I think a big concern we have, and not just we, I think the world has,
03:11is of energy security, of rising prices, of increasing premiums, of limited supplies.
03:18So, today you have to understand it is a legitimate concern of countries to ensure their energy security.
03:26But an equally big worry which is emerging is of food security.
03:35Russia has more and more aligned with China diplomatically, economically and militarily.
03:43How much are you concerned about their alignment in terms of India's national security?
03:50This seems to be my day to get a lot of advice and suggestions from the press.
03:55So, thank you for joining that.
03:57But look, we watch what's happening in the world like any country does,
04:02and we draw our conclusions and make our assessments.
04:05And believe me, we have a decent sense of what is in our interest and know how to protect it and advance it.