“India will buy oil based on national interest”
India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said that India’s energy policy will continue to be driven entirely by national interest. He stressed that decisions on oil purchases will depend on factors such as affordability, reliability, and long-term energy security, rather than pressure or opinions from other countries.
Jaishankar made the remarks while responding to comments from the United States regarding global oil supplies. He said India’s primary responsibility is to ensure stable and affordable energy access for its 1.4 billion citizens. According to him, energy policy cannot be dictated by external geopolitical considerations when the country’s economic stability and public welfare are involved.
The minister also explained that India will continue to evaluate all available options for oil imports, including supplies from Russia, based solely on what best serves India’s interests. He noted that pricing, supply reliability, and the country’s long-term energy requirements remain key considerations in New Delhi’s decision-making process.
Reaffirming India’s strategic autonomy, Jaishankar said the country’s foreign policy is guided by national priorities rather than external approval. He emphasized that ensuring energy security for the people of India remains a critical priority amid global uncertainties and fluctuations in the international energy market.
