New Delhi, July 22 -- Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Tuesday stated that energy security for the people of the country is the "highest priority" for New Delhi, while underscoring India's stance on maintaining access to global energy markets while rejecting double standards in international energy policies.

Addressing a special press briefing ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Maldives and the UK, Misri responded to concerns about the 18th round of sanctions imposed by the European Union on Russia, which directly target Moscow's energy, banking, and defence industries.

According to the EU, the sanctions also extended beyond Europe and have listed, for the first time, a flag registry and the largest Rosneft refinery i...