Overview
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told the Kuala Lumpur summit that energy trade is increasingly constricted and that principles are being applied selectively, leading to market distortions.
- He met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and noted a discussion on bilateral ties and regional issues, with tensions still present over tariffs and sanctions tied to India’s Russian oil imports as trade talks continue.
- India maintains that its purchases of Russian crude, which account for over one-third of its imports, are market-driven and essential for energy security.
- Jaishankar proposed an EAS Maritime Heritage Festival at the ancient port of Lothal in Gujarat and said India intends to host the seventh EAS Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation.
- He said the Gaza and Ukraine wars are disrupting trade and threatening energy flows, welcomed the Gaza peace plan, called for an early end to the Ukraine conflict, and urged zero tolerance for terrorism while asserting the right of self-defence.