US Secretary of State claims India will not buy oil from Russia; what did Jaishankar say?

News Topical, Digital Desk : US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has claimed that India has committed to stop buying additional Russian crude oil. Responding to a question at the Munich Security Conference regarding the Russia-Ukraine war and the sanctions imposed on Moscow, Rubio said, "In our talks with India, we have received assurances that we will not buy additional Russian oil."

Earlier, US President Donald Trump, while announcing the India-US trade agreement, had stated that New Delhi would not purchase crude oil from Russia. Following the agreement, Trump also announced through an executive order that he would withdraw the additional 25 percent tariff imposed on India. However, at the same conference, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated that the final decision would be based on national interest and market conditions.

He said India is bound by the principle of strategic autonomy and energy decisions are made based on availability, cost, and risk. When Jaishankar was asked directly whether India would stop buying oil from Russia under the terms of the trade agreement, Foreign Minister Jaishankar clearly said, “If your question means whether I can exercise independent thinking and make my own decisions and choose options that may not align with your thinking—then yes, that could happen.”

Jaishankar, however, clarified that India's foreign and energy policy will remain based on independent decision-making. According to him, the global oil market is complex, and Indian oil companies, like other countries, make purchase decisions based on availability, price, and potential risks. India has yet to formally confirm or deny the US claims.

Jaishankar holds several important bilateral meetings on the second day of the Munich summit

On the second day of the Munich Security Conference, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held several high-level bilateral meetings and exchanged views on global issues. He described his discussions with Conference Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger as useful. Strengthening India-Germany relations were discussed with German CDU/CSU leader Jens Spahn. In his meeting with Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Toiu, the possibilities for bilateral cooperation were reviewed.

Jaishankar also met with the foreign ministers of the G7 countries, reaffirming India's support for the UN reform agenda and emphasizing India's role in maritime security, port security, and the security of global communication lines. On the sidelines of the summit, he also met with the foreign ministers of Canada, Japan, and France.

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