Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has come out strongly against what he calls the “hypocritical” stance of the European Union regarding the purchase of Russian oil. Speaking at the Urja Varta annual conference organized by the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), Puri responded to renewed warnings from Donald Trump-era NATO circles and the EU about possible sanctions on nations like India for continuing oil trade with Moscow amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
What caught attention was Puri’s sharp counterpoint—naming and shaming the EU itself as the biggest consumer of Russian LNG and gas, thereby undercutting its moral high ground.
EU Is Still Russia’s Biggest Energy Customer: The Real Numbers
According to Puri, the European Union continues to import massive quantities of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and pipeline gas from Russia, even after publicly condemning Moscow and pushing for sanctions on other nations dealing with Russian energy.
LNG Imports from Russia (2024 Data):
- European Union: 51%
- China: 21%
- Japan: 18%
Pipeline Gas Imports from Russia:
- EU: 37%
- China: 30%
- Turkey: 27%
These numbers expose a stark contradiction—while EU leaders warn India and other countries of sanctions for buying Russian crude, they themselves continue buying Russian energy in large volumes.
“The EU purchases more Russian LNG than any other country. Where is the moral clarity in that?” Puri questioned.
Recalling the Viral Jaishankar Statement: “Europe Buys in an Afternoon”
Puri also recounted a famous exchange between him and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar back in 2022. During early discussions around sanctions, Jaishankar had publicly stated that “Europe buys in an afternoon what India purchases in a month.”
At the time, that quote drew wide attention and was seen as a powerful rebuttal to Western criticism of India’s energy policy. However, Puri clarified during his Urja Varta speech that the original phrasing was a little distorted.
“I told Jaishankar over the phone, ‘Friend, you tell them that they buy more in one afternoon than we buy in a quarter.’ But I believe the line wasn’t clear, and he ended up saying, ‘a month’ instead of ‘a quarter,’” Puri chuckled.
Despite the misquote, the underlying message was clear and still holds today—India’s energy purchases from Russia are dwarfed by Europe’s ongoing dependency.
Why India Buys Russian Oil: Energy Security Comes First
India has repeatedly defended its right to purchase Russian oil, citing energy affordability and national security. As a developing economy with over 1.4 billion people and one of the fastest-growing energy markets, India cannot afford to let geopolitics dictate its essential imports.
The EU’s Strategic Contradiction: Sanctions for Others, Exemptions for Themselves?
While the EU urges global solidarity in sanctioning Russia, it has quietly continued energy trade under the radar—often using intermediaries, exemptions, or rebranded cargoes. Critics argue that Europe’s “do as I say, not as I do” strategy only weakens global sanction regimes and undermines Western credibility.
“This selective outrage is what drives India’s pushback. We are transparent about our energy needs. Can Europe say the same?” an Indian energy official recently commented.
What This Means for Global Geopolitics
The issue reveals a deeper tug-of-war between Western geopolitical agendas and Global South sovereignty. Countries like India, China, Turkey, and Brazil are increasingly challenging the Western monopoly on narratives, especially when their own interests are at stake.
India’s stand under leaders like Jaishankar and Puri reflects a more assertive foreign policy—one that doesn’t shy away from calling out hypocrisy or defending its own path.
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