India-EU dispute over Russian oil

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said that according to EU Council regulations, Russian crude oil will not be subject to EU sanctions after being processed in Indian refineries. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said that Russian crude oil, once refined in India, will not be treated as Russian goods and will not be subject to European Union (EU) sanctions. Jaishankar was making the assessments at a press conference held after the “EU-India Trade and Technology Council” held in Brussels between EU and Indian officials. When asked by a journalist about his views on the statements made by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell prior to the meeting that “the EU should impose sanctions on refined petroleum products coming from India using Russian oil,” Jaishankar said, “As I understand from EU Council regulations, when Russian crude oil is substantially transformed in a third country, it will not be treated as Russian.” Recommending that the relevant EU Council regulations be carefully examined, Jaishankar stated that there was no basis for this question. EU Commission Vice President Margrethe Vestager also said, "I think there is no doubt about the legal basis of the sanctions." Noting that talks between friends will be held by reaching out, not wagging fingers, Vestager emphasized that she wants the EU-India Trade and Technology Council to strengthen the mutual partnership. Speaking to a media organization today, EU High Representative Borrell stated that the EU should be strict and impose sanctions on India, which refines Russian oil and sells it to Europe. Borrell said, "If diesel or gasoline produced with Russian oil enters Europe from India, this is definitely a violation of sanctions and member states must take measures against it." Stating that it is normal for India to buy Russian oil, Borrell stated that they should take action if refined or by-products are sold to Europe. India has been among the countries that purchased the most Russian oil since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine War. Indian refineries, which have access to affordable Russian crude oil, are competitively exporting products to Europe.