Jaishankar has befitting reply for journo who asked about Australia’s angst over India-Russia ties- The Week

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar gave the perfect reply to an Australian journalist who asked him if India recognises the angst it’s relations with India has caused for Australia.

In a befitting reply to Sky News Australia journalist Sharri Markson, the minister said he doesn’t think India has given cause for any angst, adding that in a multi-polar world, no countries have exclusive relationships.

Taking the case of Pakistan, Jaishankar said if the same logic is used, Pakistan’s relationship with many countries would have caused angst for India.

The minister pointed out that if India had not bought Russian oil at a low rate, it would have resulted in a global energy crisis and raised inflation.

Jaishankar added that being friendly with both Ukraine and Russia, gives India the ability to talk to both countries to find some intersection in the negotiations.

He added that the world needs a country like India, which can bring this conflict back to the conference table.

Earlier, when Jaishankar was asked about New Delhi’s decision to buy oil from Moscow, he had said that India has the right to prioritise its energy needs.

He said Europe needs to grow out if the mindset that Europe’s problems are the world’s problems but the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems.