“India Will Decide Its Own Energy Future”: Jaishankar Counters US Claims on Russian Oil at Munich

Delhi: Amid mounting pressure from Washington over Moscow’s energy revenues, India has delivered a clear message on the global stage — its energy decisions will not be dictated by political pressure but by national interest.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar firmly defended India’s policy of strategic autonomy after fresh claims from the United States suggested New Delhi had agreed to curb additional purchases of Russian oil.

US Claims Spark Diplomatic Ripples
US President Donald Trump recently stated that India had agreed to stop buying Russian oil and would increase energy imports from America as part of a broader trade understanding. Echoing that line, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was quoted as saying Washington had secured India’s commitment to refrain from additional Russian crude purchases following new sanctions on Moscow.

However, New Delhi has neither formally confirmed nor endorsed such assertions.

“Strategic Autonomy Is Deeply Rooted”
Addressing a packed audience in Munich alongside German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Jaishankar made India’s position unambiguous.

“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,” he said.

On the question of oil imports, he underlined the complexity of global energy markets. “This is a complex market today. Oil companies look at availability, look at costs, look at risks and take decisions that they feel are in their best interest,” Jaishankar stated.

When asked directly whether India would halt Russian oil purchases under a trade arrangement, he responded pointedly: “If the bottom line of your question is — would I remain independent-minded and make my decisions, even if they may not agree with your thinking — yes, it can happen.”

Russia Rejects US Narrative
The controversy deepened after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed reports that India had given any assurance about stopping oil imports. “No one except American representatives has spoken about this. The Indian government has made no such statements,” Lavrov said.

Trade Reset, Energy Balance
The energy debate comes alongside easing trade tensions between Washington and New Delhi. Following a recent conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump, the US reduced tariffs on Indian goods to 18 percent from 50 percent. The rollback included scrapping a 25 percent penalty previously imposed over India’s continued Russian oil imports.

Since the Ukraine conflict began, India has significantly increased discounted Russian crude purchases, which now account for roughly 35 percent of its oil imports. At the same time, New Delhi has diversified supplies, with American crude making up nearly 10 percent of imports and new energy agreements signed with US suppliers.

Bigger Message to the World
Beyond oil, Jaishankar also called for reform of global institutions, arguing that crises from Covid-19 to the Ukraine war and rising geopolitical tensions have exposed weaknesses in the international system.