At the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to “strategic autonomy,” saying New Delhi will decide its energy purchases based on availability, cost and risk, not outside pressure. His remarks came amid fresh US sanctions on Russia’s oil sector and public claims from the United States that India had agreed to halt further imports of Russian crude.
The comments directly followed statements by US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was quoted by Russian news agency TASS as saying Washington had received assurances from New Delhi that it would stop buying additional Russian oil after the latest round of sanctions. Rubio said, “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. Europe has taken its set of steps moving forward.”
Jaishankar rejected suggestions that a recent India‑US trade understanding would compromise India’s long-standing policy of strategic autonomy. He emphasised that energy decisions are technical and commercial in nature and will be guided by pragmatic considerations rather than diplomatic signalling.
The exchange highlights New Delhi’s delicate balancing act between managing energy security and navigating geopolitical pressure from major powers. By restating that cost, availability and risk will drive its imports, India signalled it will continue to prioritise national interests while engaging with partners on broader diplomatic and trade issues.
Original Source: https://www.sentinelassam.com/more-news/international/india-wedded-to-strategic-autonomy-jaishankar-on-us-russia-oil-claims
Category: International News
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Publish Date: 2026-02-16 11:53:00
