Jaishankar Rejects Rubio's Russian Oil Claim, Affirms India's Energy Autonomy
At the Munich Security Conference, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar firmly rejected Senator Marco Rubio's assertion that India had promised the US to halt additional Russian oil purchases. Jaishankar emphasized India's commitment to strategic autonomy, stating that its energy decisions are based solely on cost, risk, and availability, not external political pressure. He underscored India's right to independent choices, even if they differ from Western perspectives, amid global efforts to pressure Russia's energy revenues.
India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, publicly countered claims made by US Senator Marco Rubio regarding India's energy policy concerning Russia, emphasizing India's unwavering commitment to strategic autonomy. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Rubio had stated that India assured the United States it would not acquire additional oil from Russia following new sanctions related to the Ukraine war, though existing contracts would remain unaffected. Jaishankar swiftly responded at the same event, clarifying that India's energy procurement decisions are driven by internal factors: cost, risk, and availability, rather than external political influence or pressure. He robustly defended India's prerogative to make independent choices in the complex global energy markets, even when those decisions might diverge from Western viewpoints. Jaishankar highlighted that commercial considerations are paramount for oil companies operating within these markets. This stance reiterates India's long-held foreign policy doctrine of charting its own course in international affairs, especially concerning vital national interests like energy security. The interaction comes amidst intensified Western efforts to curtail Moscow's energy revenues, with India consistently maintaining a pragmatic approach to its energy needs. Previous similar assertions by figures like Donald Trump about India reducing Russian oil purchases were also mentioned, which New Delhi had not formally confirmed.
