India remains firmly committed to its long-standing policy of strategic autonomy, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on Saturday, underscoring that decisions on energy imports will be guided by national interest rather than external pressure.
Speaking at an interactive session alongside German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul at the Munich Security Conference, Jaishankar addressed questions arising from Washington’s claim that New Delhi had agreed to halt imports of Russian crude oil.
“We are very much wedded to strategic autonomy because it is very much a part of our history and our evolution,” he said. “It cuts across the political spectrum.”
Energy Decisions Based on Market Realities
Jaishankar described the global energy market as “complex,” noting that Indian oil companies — like their counterparts elsewhere — assess availability, cost and risk before making procurement decisions.
“As far as energy issues are concerned, this is a complex market today. Oil companies in India, as in Europe and other parts of the world, look at availability, look at costs, look at risks and take decisions they feel are in their best interest,” he said.
India has not officially confirmed Washington’s assertion that it committed to stopping purchases of Russian crude under the framework of a trade arrangement.
The issue gained attention following a recent phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. After the call, both sides announced a reduction in US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 percent from 50 percent. The rollback included the removal of a 25 percent tariff imposed last year over India’s continued procurement of Russian oil.
Independent-Minded Foreign Policy
Jaishankar made it clear that India reserves the right to take decisions that may not always align with Western partners.
“We would not necessarily agree on everything, but if there is an inclination to find common ground and overlaps, that would happen,” he said.
“If the bottom line of your question is — would I remain independent-minded and make my decisions, and would I make choices which may not agree with your thinking — yes, it can happen.”
Call for UN Reform
Beyond energy and trade, Jaishankar also reiterated India’s long-standing demand for reforms within the United Nations. He argued that the global order has undergone profound shifts in recent years — including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine conflict, tensions in the Middle East and the rise of China — highlighting the need to modernise multilateral institutions.
“These developments underline the urgency of reforming the UN,” he said, stressing that global governance structures must reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. Jaishankar’s remarks reinforced New Delhi’s position that strategic autonomy remains central to its foreign policy, even as it navigates complex relationships with major global powers.
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