External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at the Kultaranta Talks in Finland, called out European double standards regarding India's energy purchases from Russia. He highlighted that European countries ignore their own history of supplying weapons to Pakistan, which have been used against India.
India's Energy Stance Amid EU Criticism
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many European nations have consistently criticized India for buying Russian crude oil. India has maintained that its energy imports are driven by national interests and the need to ensure affordable energy supply. New Delhi has also pointed out that Europe has procured more Russian energy than India and has been buying the same Russian oil from Indian refineries.
“Europeans sell weapons which are used to attack India. Not now, for many years. We Indians have never done anything to endanger Europe. So, I think that's a reasonable point,” Jaishankar stated during a discussion on emerging powers and geopolitical competition.
European Arms Supplies to Pakistan
Jaishankar noted that several European countries have supplied military equipment that significantly strengthened Pakistan's military capabilities against India. While the scale of defense exports to Pakistan has varied over decades, Europe was a major supplier before China emerged as Islamabad's principal arms partner.
According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Turkey, and Ukraine have all supplied major military equipment to Pakistan at various times.
Major Contributors
- France: Pakistan's most significant European defense supplier since the 1960s, providing Dassault Mirage III and Mirage 5 fighter aircraft, air-to-air and anti-ship missiles, and Agosta-70 and 90B submarines.
- United Kingdom: Supplied naval and anti-tank systems, including Sea King and Lynx helicopters for maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare.
- Sweden: Provided Saab 2000 Erieye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, enhancing Pakistan's air surveillance and command capabilities.
- Italy: Installed OTO Melara naval guns on Pakistani vessels and supplied AW 139 helicopters for air and army use.
- Germany: Contributed naval technology and defense-industrial cooperation, including marine engines, propulsion systems, sensors, and submarine-related technologies.
- Turkey: Became a close defense partner in recent years, supplying MILGEM/Babur-class corvettes, modernizing Agosta-90B submarines, and providing Bayraktar TB2 armed drones along with collaboration on drone technologies.
- Ukraine: Supplied 320 T-80UD main battle tanks and 6TD-series tank engines for Pakistan's Al-Khalid tank program, boosting armored warfare capabilities.
Hypocrisy Exposed
While China is now the dominant arms supplier to Pakistan, European defense exports have played a crucial role in shaping power dynamics in the Indian subcontinent. Jaishankar pointed to Europe's hypocrisy in questioning India for sourcing cheap energy for its masses while simultaneously arming a belligerent nation.
