External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday took a veiled swipe at Western nations while addressing the 20th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Kuala Lumpur, saying that global energy trade had become “increasingly
constricted” and that “principles are applied selectively”.
Jaishankar said the world was witnessing “complicated times” marked by shrinking supply chains, restricted energy markets and intense competition for resources and technology.
“There are growing concerns about the reliability of supply chains and access to markets. Technology advancement has become very competitive; the quest for natural resources even more so,” he said.
“Energy trade is increasingly constricted, with resulting market distortions. Principles are applied selectively and what is preached is not necessarily practiced,” he added.
The minister, who conveyed greetings on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the summit’s 20th anniversary, added that the world was undergoing major structural changes.
“Multipolarity is not just here to stay but to grow. All these warrant serious global conversations,” he said, noting that nations must adapt to emerging realities through dialogue, cooperation and resilient solutions.
Jaishankar’s remarks came hours after he met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the summit, as India and the United States seek to ease tensions following Washington’s tariff hike on Indian goods. The meeting was part of continuing efforts to resolve trade disputes and strengthen strategic cooperation.
Ties between New Delhi and Washington have been under strain since August, when US President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Indian exports to 50 per cent, accusing India of “funding Russia’s war in Ukraine” through the purchase of discounted Russian oil.
Trump, who attended the summit in person, claimed after a recent call with Prime Minister Modi that India had agreed to reduce its oil imports from Moscow — a statement that New Delhi has not confirmed.
