'Energy trade constricted, rules applied selectively': Jaishankar’s veiled dig at US after meeting Rubio

India on Monday voiced strong concern over what it called an increasingly “constricted” global energy trade and the selective application of trade norms, even as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address friction in bilateral ties over punitive tariffs and oil imports from Russia.

- SIMONTINI BHATTACHARJEE

Speaking at the 20th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Kuala Lumpur, Jaishankar said the reliability of global supply chains and access to markets had become uncertain amid growing geopolitical and economic competition. “Energy trade is increasingly constricted, with resulting market distortions. Principles are applied selectively and what is preached is not necessarily practised,” he said.

The comments came amid a downturn in India-US relations following Washington's decision under President Donald Trump to impose 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods and an additional 25 per cent levy linked to New Delhi's purchase of Russian crude. India has called the move "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable."

After his address, Jaishankar met Rubio on the side lines of the summit for the first high-level talks since the tariffs were imposed. “Glad to meet @SecRubio this morning in Kuala Lumpur. Appreciated the discussion on our bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues,” he said in a post on social media.

Officials said the meeting covered trade, energy, and regional issues, but there was no indication of progress on Washington's tariff rollback. India maintains that its oil sourcing decisions are guided by national interests and consumer needs. "India's energy purchases are broadbased and diversified," the Ministry of External Affairs said earlier this month, adding that New Delhi's policy is aimed at ensuring "stable prices and secured supplies." President Trump recently claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him India would stop buying Russian oil, a statement India has denied. The United States last week sanctioned two Russian oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in a move expected to discourage Indian refiners from procuring Russian crude.