Buying Russian oil is India's domestic policy: Sweden

Western countries have imposed economic sanctions on Russia after the war with Ukraine. After which Russia is selling oil to India at cheap prices. India has been buying Russian oil in large quantities since the beginning of the war. European countries have been continuously raising questions on this policy of India.

At the same time, now European country Sweden’s Foreign Trade Minister Johan Forssell has said that Sweden will not interfere in any way in the Russian oil being bought under the Indian energy policy. During a media interaction, Forsell said that Stockholm understands India’s policies for energy stability and that buying Russian oil comes under India’s ‘domestic policy’.

This statement from Sweden is also important for India because Sweden is going to get the presidency of the European Union Council from January 1 next year. Coincidentally, at the same time, India will also preside over the G-20 and representatives of the European Union will also participate in it.

We have not come to teach India: Sweden Minister
The Swedish minister, who is on a two-day visit to India, said, I have not come here to tell India what to do and what not. It is part of India’s internal policy and it is up to India to decide from which country it has to buy oil. He said that we hope that the Ukraine crisis will end soon.

At present, the way India has faced questions from western countries on buying Russian oil, in that situation, this statement of the Swedish Minister is expected to give some relief to India because Sweden may not be a member of the G-20 but is a member of the European Union. Through the chairmanship of the Union, the voice of the Nordic region can be strengthened. The current presidency of the European Union is held by the Czech Republic, which will end on 31 December.

Meeting with Commerce and Trade Minister Piyush Goyal

The Swedish minister met Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during his two-day visit to India. During this, both sides talked about green transition, health, infrastructure, defense and security issues. The minister also supported the Free Trade Agreement (free trade agreement) between India and the European Union. The Swedish Minister said that the FTA agreement between India and the European Union will give a boost to the bilateral trade between India and Sweden. He said that getting this deal done under the presidency of Sweden would be our priority.

Johan Forsell said that Indian companies have told us about the need for FTA and we want to do FTA deal with India. The Swedish Foreign Minister said that this agreement would prove to be a milestone.