US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said that India has assured Washington it would refrain from buying additional Russian oil, following fresh US sanctions on Russia’s energy sector.
“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,” Rubio said at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.
The remarks come as the United States ramps up measures to limit Russia’s energy earnings following the extended conflict in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, addressing the same event, external affairs minister S Jaishankar underscored India’s resolve to maintain strategic autonomy, amid questions over whether the new trade deal with the US would force New Delhi to reduce Russian crude purchases.
"We are very much wedded to strategic autonomy because it's very much a part of our history and our evolution. It's something which is very deep, and it's something which cuts across the political spectrum as well," he said.
Addressing concerns over energy sourcing, the minister described the global oil market as complex and dynamic, stressing that commercial considerations guide procurement decisions.
"As for energy issues, this is a complex market today. Oil companies in India, as in Europe, as probably in other parts of the world, look at availability, look at costs, look at risks and take the decisions that they feel are in their best interest," he noted.
Jaishankar said that in a rapidly changing global environment, countries continuously reassess their calculations and partnerships.
"So many things are changing, and so many of us are doing our calculations and recalculations," he said, adding that while India may not agree with all partners on every issue, dialogue and a willingness to find common ground remain important.
"We would not necessarily agree on everything, but I do believe that by doing that, and if there is an inclination to find common ground and overlaps, that would happen," he stated further.
Emphasising India's independent decision-making, Jaishankar concluded, "If the bottom line of your question is, would I remain independent-minded and make my decisions? And would I make choices which sometimes may not agree with your thinking or somebody else's thinking, yes, it can happen."
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