WATCH: Why Jaishankar wants world to thank India for stabilising oil prices

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has asserted that India’s strategic purchase policies have played a significant role in stabilsing global oil and gas markets even as the war between Russia and Ukraine disrupted the industry.

His comments came during a conversation with journalist Lionel Barber during a talk titled ‘How a Billion People See the World’ in London. “When it comes to the purchase of oil…In fact, at least India was a big enough country to command some respect in the markets but there were much smaller countries that didn’t even get responses to their tender inquiries because the LNG suppliers were no longer interested in dealing with them, they have bigger fish to fry,” Jaishankar said.

He added, “So we’ve actually softened the oil markets and the gas markets through our purchase policies. We have, as a consequence actually managed global inflation…I’m waiting for the thank you.”

#WATCH | London, UK: On oil purchase, External Affairs Minister of India, Dr S Jaishankar says, “When it comes to the purchase of oil…In fact, at least India was a big enough country to command some respect in the markets but there were much smaller countries that didn’t even… pic.twitter.com/wkgBcApPmP

— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2023

India-Canada row

During the same event, Jaishankar was asked about Canada’s allegation of India’s involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

“Look, if you have a reason to make such an allegation, please share the evidence with us. We are not ruling out an investigation and looking at anything which they may have to offer. They haven’t done so,” the foreign minister said adding that Canada has not yet shared any evidence on Nijjar’s murder with India.

#WATCH | London, UK: On Canada PM Justin Trudeau’s allegations, External Affairs Minister of India, Dr S Jaishankar says, “…We have told the Canadians…The context is that in Canada, we feel that Canadian politics has given space to violent and extreme political opinions which… pic.twitter.com/XzP6OkYBSo

— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2023

“Canadian politics has given space to violent and extreme political opinions which advocate separatism from India, including through violent means,” he said.

“These people have been accommodated in Canadian politics. They are given the freedom to articulate their views…Freedom of speech and freedom of expression also comes with a certain responsibility. The misuse of those freedoms and the toleration of that misuse for political purposes would be very wrong.”