India’s Firm Message to the West: “Selective Principles Have No Place in Global Trade”

At the 20th East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a pointed message to the global community, subtly directed at Western nations. Without naming specific countries, he noted that energy trade has become increasingly restricted and that global principles are being applied selectively. His words — “What is preached is not necessarily practiced” — resonated as a diplomatic yet bold rebuke against the double standards in international trade and sanctions.

Jaishankar’s comments reflected a growing discontent among developing nations, particularly those in the Global South, that face the consequences of Western-imposed sanctions and trade restrictions. His statement highlighted India’s commitment to fair, transparent, and equal access to resources in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.

Jaishankar said there were growing concerns about the reliability of supply chains and access to markets (X/DrSJaishankar) | Hindustan Times

Energy Trade and the Politics of Selective Sanctions

The timing of Jaishankar’s remarks is significant. India has faced repeated criticism from Western powers over its purchase of discounted Russian crude oil following the Ukraine conflict. While countries in Europe continue their own transactions with Moscow through indirect channels, New Delhi has been singled out, despite adhering to all international laws.

Jaishankar emphasized that India’s energy decisions are guided by national interest and developmental needs, not external pressure. He has often reiterated that energy security is vital for India’s economic stability, and no country should be penalized for ensuring affordable access to fuel for its citizens. By calling out “selective principles,” Jaishankar effectively exposed the hypocrisy of those nations that lecture others while simultaneously protecting their own trade interests.

Supply Chains, Access, and the New Global Reality

Jaishankar also addressed the larger issue of global trade fragmentation and the erosion of supply-chain reliability. He remarked that competition over technology and natural resources has intensified, and many countries now face constraints in accessing essential materials. India’s concerns stem from an increasingly protectionist environment, where unilateral sanctions and export restrictions threaten global stability.

He pointed out that global trade rules must be inclusive and fair to all, not shaped by the convenience of dominant powers. India, he said, envisions a multipolar world where economic and energy security are shared, not monopolized. His observation that “multipolarity is here to stay and will only grow” reflects India’s confidence in shaping a balanced global order — one that prioritizes cooperation over coercion.

India’s Strategic Autonomy in a Shifting World

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has maintained a steadfast policy of strategic autonomy — engaging with all major powers while preserving independent decision-making. Jaishankar’s remarks at the Summit are consistent with this approach. They reaffirm India’s refusal to be drawn into ideological blocs and its insistence on choosing partners based on pragmatic interests rather than political alignment.

India continues to deepen energy and trade ties with diverse partners, including Russia, the U.S., the Middle East, and ASEAN nations. By doing so, it aims to strengthen resilience and reduce dependency on any single source. Jaishankar’s stance also signals a broader assertion: India will not allow global norms to be weaponized against its development.

The Broader Global Implications

Jaishankar’s statement carries implications far beyond India. It reflects a growing voice of dissent among developing economies that feel marginalized in decision-making forums dominated by Western nations. His critique also underlines a truth that has long been whispered in diplomatic corridors — that rules of the global economy are often rewritten by those in power when their interests are at stake.

India’s challenge to this status quo represents a call for reform in global governance, urging equitable participation and respect for sovereignty. As the world navigates multiple crises — energy shortages, trade wars, and geopolitical rivalries — India’s message serves as a reminder that selective morality cannot sustain a fair international system.

The MGMM Outlook

At the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a firm message that resonated beyond the conference hall — a call for consistency in global principles. His statement that “what is preached is not necessarily practiced” struck at the heart of Western double standards, particularly in trade and energy policies. While India has been unfairly criticized for buying discounted Russian crude, European nations quietly continue similar transactions through indirect means. Jaishankar’s words underscored that India’s energy decisions are rooted in national interest and the welfare of its citizens, not in bowing to external pressures. His message represents the growing voice of the Global South — nations unwilling to be dictated to by selective morality or geopolitical coercion.

India’s stance at the summit reflects a broader assertion of sovereignty and fairness in global governance. As supply chains tighten and trade restrictions deepen, India advocates for an inclusive, multipolar system where access to resources and technology is not monopolized by a few. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India’s strategic autonomy and balanced diplomacy have reinforced its role as a bridge between power blocs, rather than a follower of any. Jaishankar’s remarks capture the essence of New Delhi’s evolving global identity — confident, self-reliant, and unafraid to expose hypocrisy in the name of justice. This new India doesn’t merely react to world politics — it defines the terms of engagement.

(Sources: News18, Hindustan Times, Business Standard)