India’s Strategic Autonomy Non-Negotiable, Says Jaishankar on Concerns Over US–Russia Dynamics

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Saturday reaffirmed India’s commitment to strategic autonomy amid questions over whether New Delhi’s ties with Russia might complicate its relationship with the United States. Responding to queries about global expectations and geopolitical balancing, Jaishankar said India will continue to maintain independent, multifaceted relations with all major powers.

“I think everybody knows that India has relations with all the major countries of the world,” he said. “For any country to expect to have a veto or a say in how we develop our relations with others is not a reasonable proposition, because remember the others can expect the same.”

The minister emphasised that India’s foreign policy framework is rooted in choice, flexibility and long-standing principles. “We have always made it very clear that we have multiple relationships, we have a freedom of choice, we talk about what is called strategic autonomy and that continues,” he said.

Jaishankar added that he sees no reason why any partner nation should expect India to alter this approach. “I cannot imagine why anybody would have reason to expect the contrary,” he remarked, underscoring India’s confidence in navigating complex international dynamics without compromising its core interests.