Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday praised India for its foreign policy after New Delhi decided to import oil from Russia at a discounted price despite the threats of American sanctions.
Addressing a public rally in Malakand area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Imran Khan said India's foreign policy is for the betterment of people.
"I praise our neighbouring country as they always had independent foreign policy. Today India is in their (America) alliance and they are part of QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue); they say that are neutral. They are importing oil from Russia despite sanctions because their policy is for the betterment of people," he said, reported the Express Tribune.
Imran Khan, however, claimed that his foreign policy, too, would favour the people of Pakistan. "I haven't bowed before anyone and will not let my nation bow either," he said.
Breaking from the tradition of not openly discussing complicated matters relating to foreign relations in public rallies, Khan mentioned that he had said “absolutely not” to the EU envoys seeking Pakistan’s support against Russia in the Russia-Ukraine conflict because "they broke protocol by making the request".
Last week, the Indian Oil Corporation reportedly bought three million (30 lakh) barrels of Russian crude oil at a discounted price.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Tuesday that India taking the Russian offer of discounted crude oil would not be a violation of the US sanctions on Moscow, but underlined that countries should also think about "where you want to stand" amidst Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday said the United Kingdom wants every country to move away from using Russian oil and gas as it funds President Vladimir Putin's war machine.
India, however, maintains that its legitimate energy transactions should not be politicised and the countries self-sufficient in crude oil or those importing it from Russia cannot credibly advocate restrictive trading.