"If you have a problem buying oil from India, don't buy it" ---- Dr Jaishankar tells in free & frank outburst ::: "Prez Trump's way of dealing with the world, dealing with his own country, is very major departure"

 Speaking at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025, Jaishankar said, "That in itself is a departure that's not limited to India...  

He noted that in 2022, when oil prices surged, there was global concern. “In 2022, there was deep nervousness on the international level due to oil prices going up. 

That time, it was said that if India wants to buy Russian oil, let them, because that would stabilise prices,” he added.

President Trump's way of dealing with the world, even dealing with his own country, is a very major departure from the traditional orthodox manner of doing so...". 

Dr Jaishankar reiterated that there was no US mediation in ending the four-day India-Pakistan conflict in May, contrary to Trump’s repeated claims.  

"On the issue of mediating (India-Pak conflict), since 1970s for more than 50 years now, there's a national consensus in this country that we do not accept mediation in our relations with Pakistan," he said. 

On the US levying 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, Jaishankar said that the interests of domestic farmers reign supreme in any trade negotiations.

"When it comes to trade, the interests of farmers, when it comes to our strategic autonomy, when it comes to opposition to mediation, this government is very clear. 

Our positions are there. If anybody disagrees with us, please tell the people of India that you are not prepared to defend the interests of farmers. 

Please tell the people of India you don't value strategic autonomy," he further said.  

The minister was emphatic on energy security. 

"It's funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don't buy it. 

Nobody forces you to buy it. Europe buys, America buys, so you don't like it, don't buy it,” he said, responding to criticism of India’s purchases of Russian crude.

Dr Jaishankar said India’s relationship with major powers like the US and China has seen both cooperation and contention, but the overall trajectory remained positive. “Right now there are issues, it is pretty open, but it’s not like we never had issues before. Other parts of the relationship are strong,” he said.