India's The Statesman reports on its front page that Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar revealed on Saturday that the current US administration had not privately asked India to stop purchasing Russian oil before President Donald Trump publicly criticized New Delhi's energy trade.

This disclosure highlights a major contradiction in Washington's approach. Jaishankar emphasized, "After January (after Trump's inauguration), there has been no conversation with the current administration saying 'don't do it (buy Russian oil).' " At a media briefing, the foreign minister provided key background information about this policy contradiction, revealing that in 2022, American officials actively encouraged India to purchase Russian oil to lower global energy prices. In 2022, people were deeply concerned about rising oil prices. At that time, there were a series of dialogues with different personnel from the US government. If India wanted to buy Russian oil, we had no objections because it would stabilize the price, Jaishankar said at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum. Jaishankar pointed out three core issues that have strained Indo-US relations: trade negotiations.

Key statements made by Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at the forum:

1. Regarding Russian oil

"After January (after Trump's inauguration), there has been no conversation with this administration saying 'don't do it (buy Russian oil).'"

"Russia's trade with the EU is larger than India's trade with Russia. Then isn't Europe putting money into Putin's pocket?"

2. Regarding trade negotiations

The red lines are mainly "the interests of our farmers and small producers."

"No one said the negotiations have been suspended."

3. Regarding 'mediation' with Pakistan.

"For more than 50 years, this country has had a national consensus that we do not accept mediation in our relationship with Pakistan."

4. Regarding Trump's approach

"We have not yet seen a US president openly pursuing foreign policy like the current president."

Trump's approach is a "significant departure from traditional methods."

5. Regarding Sino-Indian relations

The recent easing is unrelated to the tension between the US and China - it was achieved "in meetings since October."

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841375343211532/

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