European countries have softened their opposition to India-Russia relations, now giving importance to increasing bilateral relations

After the Ukraine war, the European countries which had turned a blind eye to the decades-old relationship between Russia and India, have now changed their stand. Within the last few days, major European countries like Britain, France, and Germany have indirectly accepted that Russia has special importance for India. These countries are also accepting India's decision to buy more and more oil from Russia and are refraining from commenting directly on it.

In this sequence, the importance of German Chancellor Olf Scholz's upcoming visit to India has increased. The main agenda of Scholz's visit is to further deepen the existing bilateral relations between India and Germany. This was indicated by Dr. Jens Platner, Foreign and Security Advisor to the Chancellor of Germany, here on Monday.

After separate consultations with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval, when Dr. Plattner was asked what he would say about the Indian policy of buying oil from Russia, he replied, “India is a big country with which European countries share a share the same policies. As we are a democratic society, there is a rule of law, human rights are protected, and India trusts the United Nations. But India has to select its path as to what kind of relationship it maintains with whom.

India can buy Russian crude for long: Hardeep Puri

We have to build strong relations with India. India is an important center of our global relations. As far as buying oil from Russia is concerned, European countries have fixed the maximum price for Russian oil, which is also benefiting India. We are happy that selling oil to Russia is not making that much profit.

Not only Germany, but in the last few months other countries in Europe and America have started adopting a more practical approach regarding India's decision to buy oil from Russia. Experts say that one of the reasons behind this is that most of the big countries of Europe are buying petrol and diesel in large quantities from India. There is every possibility that the petrol and diesel that Indian companies are currently selling to Britain and other European countries are made from crude imported from Russia.

According to the report of an international agency named Kepler, in January 2023, India exported the highest petrol-diesel to America in the last four years, while exports to European countries have also been the highest in one and a half years. Another reason is that the initial pressure from these countries has not had any effect on India.

India has made it clear to these countries at a high level that wherever it gets crude at a cheaper rate, it will buy it. In February 2022, India used to buy only 0.2 percent of the total imports from Russia, while in January 2023, about 18 percent of the total imports have been bought from Russia. Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Puri has given a clear indication that India can buy Russian crude for a long time.

Also Read: UP: 40 countries, 400 foreign delegates, and investment proposals of 30 lakh crores, PM Modi will inaugurate GIS-23 at 11 am