Overview

• Doraiswami challenged Europe’s selective sanctions by pointing out its own imports of rare earths and refined energy goods from sources barred to India.
• He explained that India turned to discounted Russian crude after being priced out of traditional Middle Eastern markets by other buyers, driving up its import costs.
• He warned that the EU’s 18th sanctions package, which listed the Vadinar refinery partly owned by Rosneft, risked further trade curbs on New Delhi.
• He clarified that the Russia-India-China grouping remains a dialogue format, not a formal pact, dismissing Western concerns of an Asian axis.
• He echoed Prime Minister Modi’s view that “this isn’t an era of war” and reiterated India’s call for a negotiated end to the Ukraine conflict.