Jaishankar: India Remains Committed to Strategic Autonomy on Russian Oil
EAM Jaishankar reaffirms India's strategic autonomy in energy decisions amid US claims on halting Russian oil imports.
At the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to strategic autonomy, asserting that the country’s foreign and energy policies are guided by national interest, availability, cost, and risk considerations rather than external pressures. His remarks came in response to recent US claims that India had agreed to halt further purchases of Russian oil following new sanctions on Moscow.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump had stated that India had assured Washington it would reduce Russian crude imports and increase energy purchases from the US. However, Jaishankar clarified that India’s energy procurement decisions are determined independently, highlighting the complexity of global oil markets and the need for pragmatic decision-making by Indian oil companies.
“The United States has imposed additional sanctions on Russia’s oil. In our conversations with India, we’ve gotten their commitment to stop buying additional Russian oil,” Rubio was quoted as saying, while President Trump claimed a trade breakthrough in which India would pivot toward US crude. Jaishankar, however, described such assertions as inconsistent with India’s established approach of evaluating energy imports based on national interest.
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Emphasizing India’s historical stance, Jaishankar said, “We are very much wedded to strategic autonomy because it is very much a part of our history and our evolution. It cuts across the political spectrum and shapes our policy choices.” He stressed that independent-minded decisions could sometimes diverge from the expectations of other nations.
On the question of whether India would discontinue Russian oil under the trade framework, Jaishankar candidly stated, “If the bottom line of your question is would I remain independent-minded and make my decisions which may not agree with your thinking; yes, it can happen.” He reinforced that India has neither formally confirmed nor denied US claims, leaving energy policy decisions firmly in the country’s hands.
Analysts note that India’s position reflects its longstanding emphasis on balancing global relationships while safeguarding domestic energy security. By underscoring strategic autonomy, the External Affairs Minister sent a clear signal that India will chart its own course in international energy markets, even amid external diplomatic pressures.
Also Read: Energy Security for 1.4 Billion Indians Remains Top Priority Says MEA
