S Jaishankar Affirms India's Strategic Autonomy Amid US Claims on Russian Oil Imports
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar affirmed India's commitment to 'strategic autonomy,' stating that the country's energy procurement, including Russian oil, is driven by factors like costs, risks, and availability. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Jaishankar responded to a US claim that India agreed to cease Russian crude imports, emphasizing that India's oil companies make decisions in their best interest. He asserted India's right to independent decision-making, even if it diverges from Western partners, and also advocated for UN reforms.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated India's steadfast commitment to its policy of 'strategic autonomy,' asserting that the nation's energy procurement decisions are solely based on practical considerations such as costs, risks, and availability. This statement was made at the Munich Security Conference, where Jaishankar addressed Washington's claim that New Delhi had agreed to halt imports of Russian crude oil. He clarified that Indian oil companies operate within a complex global energy market, making their own decisions based on what best serves their interests, similar to their counterparts worldwide. Jaishankar emphasized that strategic autonomy is deeply ingrained in India's history and evolution, enjoying broad political consensus.Responding to inquiries about potential cessation of Russian oil imports under a trade deal and its implications for India's foreign policy, Jaishankar neither confirmed nor denied the US claim. He referenced a recent conversation between Prime Minister Modi and former President Trump, which resulted in a significant reduction of US tariffs on Indian goods, including the removal of a 25% tariff previously imposed over India's Russian oil purchases. Jaishankar underscored India's prerogative to make independent choices, even if they do not always align with the views of its Western partners. Furthermore, he strongly advocated for comprehensive reforms within the United Nations, highlighting the profound global changes and series of shocks experienced over the past five years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine conflict, Middle East tensions, and the rise of China.
