Hardeep Puri Destroys CNN Anchor With Bare Facts On “Moral Conflict” Of Buying Russian Oil

CNN anchor Becky Anderson got schooled by Union Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on how Europe continues to be the largest importer of Russian oil at a recent interview in the CNN studio. Anderson miserably failed at guilt tripping India for buying Russian oil as Puri responded to her loaded questions with facts. She began with an extremely motivated allusion that India is benefiting from discounted rates of Russian oil during the ongoing Ukraine-Russian war. She also pressed Puri to cough up an answer on how India would react to the proposed price cap on Russian oil. The questions assume significance as G7 nations are working to set up a price cap on Russian oil to limit its oil revenues.

G7 countries consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.

Puri on his part didn’t  hold back and lobbed facts after facts at Anderson, outwitting her. He reiterated the fact India is under no pressure as it is the fifth largest economy in the world and would buy oil from whoever sells it to her. And that India’s decision with regard to buying oil from Russia or for that matter from anybody else would be based on her national interest.

Excerpts from the interview:

Anchor: India has certainly been benefiting from discounted rates of Russian Oil, Does the country have any qualms about buying so much given that Narendra Modi has certainly expressed concerns over the invasions saying “now is not the time for war. now is not the time for war. Now is the time to move into a path of peace.”

Hardeep Puri: Let me first correct your perspective. We ended the financial year 2022 i.e 31 March 2022, the purchases of Russian Oil was just 0.2 per cent. We still buy in a quarter what Europe buys in an afternoon. So let’s be very clear about what the perspective is. Russia is not the largest supplier of oil to India. The largest supplier last month was Iraq. We owe a moral duty to our consumers. We have a population of 1.34 billion and we have to ensure that they are supplied with energy. We were the only country in the world which at the time when we were feeding 800 million people three meals, the government reduced its revenue so that the prices of petrol didn’t go up.

Anchor: So there is no moral conflict in buying Russian Oil?

Hardeep Puri: Absolutely none. There is no moral conflict at all unless someone wants to take an ideological position. We don’t buy from X or Y. We buy from whatever is available. And I don’t do the buying.

Anchor: Let’s be clear about this. India is a backdoor for Russian oil into Europe. Russian oil is imported and then exported to Europe after refining.

Hardeep Puri: No that’s not done by government. That’s done by some private companies. Let’s be clear the government doesn’t do the buying. Oil trade is done by economic entities…you know something I have bought from the United States 20 billion worth which is half of what I buy from OPEC. We will buy oil gas from wherever we can get it.

Anchor: What if the US or the EU asked India to hold purchasing Russian Oil

Hardeep Puri: That questions should be addressed to EU or the US. If India didn’t buy or someone else didn’t buy Russian oil, if Russian oil were to go off the market what would happen to International market. Somebody is cutting supply, we have more people buying it. The price go up to 200 dollar.

Anchor: Minister with due respect I am asking you a simple question if the US or the EU…..

Hardeep Puri: I don’t answer hypothetical questions. If the EU wants to come up with something they will talk to us. We will examine it. So what is on offer now? We have a situation where Hungarian oil can come in through a pipeline and it’s exempt from the so-called price cap. Russian oil goes through China through a pipeline, then also it is exempt. Japan can buy it. I would like to find out whom the price-cap is aimed at. I want to have a robust discussion on that.

Anchor : Does India have a backup plan should the West tighten sanctions?

Hardeep Puri: We have many backup plans. And I don’t look at it the way, you are looking at it. We have had healthy discussions going with the West, the United States. I think this is something. you are creating in a TV studio.

Anchor: No no that’s not what it is …..

Hardeep Puri: …..I have said this earlier also…We don’t feel any pressure. Modi’s government doesn’t feel any pressure. We are the fifth largest economy in the world. We are the one country where we are making the transition (to green energy). The consequences of oil prise increase is that there will be inflation and recession. The other consequence is that we will make transition to green energy that much faster.

Anchor: Will India co-operate with G-7 attempts to cap the price of Russian sea-borne oil?

Hardeep Puri: I am surprised that you are fixated on a proposal which has not been fully spelt out, number 1. Number 2, India will examine it. India will respond to it according to it supreme national interest. And we will take a view and discuss it with everyone and I will be happy to come back here and tell you what our response is.

Puri was hailed for standing up to the string of attacks on him at the CNN studio.

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