India pivoted toward Russian crude in 2022 following the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict, a move that eventually solidified Russia as the nation's primary oil supplier. Jaishankar dismissed accusations that India is overly sympathetic to Moscow, noting that Washington itself encouraged these purchases during the 2022 market instability to prevent price spikes. He argued that the shifting U.S. position, which oscillates between imposing tariffs and granting waivers, lacks a consistent moral or economic principle.

As global supply chains tighten, Indian refiners are aggressively diversifying their portfolio to hedge against volatility. While Russian crude remains vital, domestic firms have secured supply contracts through August with producers in the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Nigeria, and Angola. This shift reflects a strategic push to stabilize energy security amid the ongoing regional conflicts that have disrupted traditional Middle Eastern flows. Jaishankar insisted that the focus on sanctimony is misplaced, maintaining that India’s energy policy remains pragmatic and driven by the basic availability of resources.