At the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, India raised significant concerns regarding increasingly restricted energy trade, selective application of norms, and market access challenges. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed these issues against the backdrop of strained relations with the U.S. over India's procurement of Russian crude oil.

Jaishankar highlighted the growing concerns about the reliability of supply chains and access to markets. He pointed out that technological advancements have intensified competition, and the pursuit of natural resources has become even more challenging. He stated that energy trade is becoming increasingly constricted, leading to market distortions. He also alluded to the West's double standards on Russian crude imports, emphasizing that principles are applied selectively and what is preached is not necessarily practiced.

These remarks come amidst a backdrop of strained India-U.S. relations, particularly regarding India's purchase of Russian oil. The U.S. has expressed concerns that India's procurement of Russian oil is potentially fueling Moscow's war efforts against Ukraine.

Jaishankar acknowledged the global disruptions caused by ongoing conflicts, including the conflict in Ukraine, noting their impact on food security, energy flows, and trade. He said that the world must step up efforts to resolve conflicts, which have jeopardized food security and threatened energy flows. He also voiced India's support for the Gaza peace plan and called for an early resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.

Furthermore, Jaishankar addressed the persistent threat of terrorism, advocating for a policy of zero tolerance and emphasizing that the right to defend against terrorism should never be compromised.

Despite these challenges, Jaishankar expressed confidence in the world's ability to adapt and find solutions. He noted that adjustments will be made, calculations will come into play, fresh understandings will be forged, new opportunities will emerge, and resilient solutions will be devised. He emphasized the importance of considering the realities of technology, competitiveness, market size, digitization, connectivity, talent, and mobility.

Jaishankar reaffirmed India's strong support for the East Asia Summit (EAS) and its future endeavors. He also reiterated India's commitment to maritime cooperation, aligning with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and the shared commitment to the 1982 UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).