External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar sharply slammed the United States and the European Union over its repeated accusations on India for purchasing the Russian crude oil and claiming that India is gaining disproportionate profit from the sale of refined oil products. “It’s funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don’t buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. Europe buys, America buys, so you don’t like it, don’t buy it”, said Dr. S. Jaishankar while speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025.
#WATCH | Delhi: At The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "It's funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don't… pic.twitter.com/rXW9kCcVuv
— ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2025
Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused India that as an impact of sharp increase in the oil purchase of India from Russia, New Delhi is ‘profiteering’ hugely and this is ‘unacceptable’ to the US. EAM Jaishankar took a sharp dig at these criticisms and asserted that India’s strategic autonomy and national security priorities will always be held high irrespective of the geopolitical compulsions. In a bold and sharp response, Jaishankar said that if anyone is at unease over India buying the Russian oil, they can thwart their purchases from India as nobody is forcing anyone to buy refined oil products from India. Instead, nobody has the right to command India regarding how New Delhi has to conduct its strategic decisions.
India is firm on protecting the farmers’ interests: Dr. Jaishankar
While speaking at the World Leaders Forum, External Affairs Minister also clarified on the firm stance of the government to protect the interests of the farmers. “When it comes to the trade and the interests of Indian farmers, this government is very clear. If anybody disagrees with us, please tell the people of India that you are not prepared to defend the interest of farmers. We will do whatever we have to do to maintain it(our strategic autonomy)”, said Dr. S. Jaishankar.
EAM’s sharp comments come in the backdrop of bottlenecks faced by India in the path of trade negotiations with the US. Agriculture, dairy sector are the major hiccups that is being a hurdle in reaching a trade deal with the United States. Washington is seeking for more concessions in these sectors and wants to enter the agriculture and dairy market of India. If US gain a place in the Indian agricultural market, it will be a strategic disadvantage for the Indian farmers and the rural economy as they have to bear the heat of external competition.
New Delhi is thus firm on its stance to protect the interests of farmers and other related vulnerable sectors against any external invasion, though it has led to a tariff tussle with the US, where Trump administration has imposed a massive 50 per cent tariffs on India, irked by the solid decision of India in striking a trade deal, without bowing down to the unreasonable demands of the US.
Jaishankar taunts the historical relations between US and Pakistan
Responding to the closeness drawn between US and Pakistan in India’s backyard in the recent days, Jaishankar taunted by saying, “They have a history with each other. And they have a history of overlooking the history. It’s not the first time we have seen things”. He also reminded the fact that the US military which is today waving red carpet to Pakistan Army Chief, was the same military that apprehended Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad of Pakistan in 2011. However, apparently they ‘have a history of overlooking the history’ for the sake of short-term goals and to fulfill the political ambitions.
“And the interesting thing is that when you look sometimes at the certificates that say somebody in the military will give, it’s the same military which went into Abbottabad and found you know who there. So the issue, in a way, is when countries are very focused on doing the politics of convenience. They keep trying to do this. Some of it can be tactical, some of it can have other benefits or calculations”, exclaimed Jaishankar.
#WATCH | Delhi: "They have a history with each other, and they have a history of overlooking their history… It is the same military that went into Abbottabad (in Pakistan) and found who there?…" says EAM Dr S Jaishankar on relations between US and Pakistan, at The Economic… pic.twitter.com/wpYGfdLpbc
— ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2025
EAM Jaishankar acknowledged that India however looks at the greater long-term structural strengths of a relationship while dealing with these challenges and makes strategic moves accordingly. “I always keep in mind the larger structural strengths of the relationship and the confidence that comes from it. So I take it in that spirit. I know what my strengths are, I know what is the importance and relevance of my relationship. So that’s what guides me,” Mr Jaishankar said.
Meanwhile, Jaishankar yet again strongly refuted the claims made by Trump regarding America’s role in mediating between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Government of India including the Prime Minister has several times outrightly rejected the credits claimed by Trump for ending the India-Pakistan conflict.
EAM exclaims Trump has ‘Unorthodox’ methods, says trade negotiations are under way
Dr. S. Jaishankar has asserted that US President Donald Trump has very ‘unorthodox’ ways of dealing with the world and described his administrative style as, “world has never had a US President who’s conducted foreign policy as publicly as the current one”. EAM said that President Trump has a very distinctive style of dealing with things not just with respect to other country’s but in working on various domestic issues within the US itself. “That in itself is a departure that’s not limited to India. President Trump’s way of dealing with the world, even dealing with his own country, is a very major departure from the traditional orthodox manner of doing so”. So, world has to inevitably learn to deal with this era of distinctive style of administration.
“The first pronouncement from the Trump administration is often made first in public, and then to the concerned party. The fact that a lot of this is said in public. This is a situation which the entire world is facing”, Dr. Jaishankar added.
With respect to trade negotiations with the US, Jaishankar exclaimed that negotiations between New Delhi and Washington are still underway; however, there are some red lines such as the protection of farmers’ interests. He further confirmed that though the India-US ties are currently under strain, negotiations have not been halted and there is no complete breakdown of partnership and there is always scope for talks. “Negotiations are still going on. But the bottom line is we have some red lines. Nobody said the negotiations are off. People do talk to each other. It’s not like there’s a ‘katti’ (breaking friendship) there” EAM confirmed on the status of India-US relations in the wake of massive 50% tariffs sanctioned on India by the Trump administration.
