'Smart Enough to Have Options': EAM S Jaishankar Reaffirms India’s Commitment to Energy Security at Munich Security Conference (Watch Video)
Speaking at the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) on Saturday, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a firm defense of New Delhi’s "strategic autonomy," emphasizing that the nation will continue to prioritize its own energy security despite shifting global geopolitical pressures.
Munich, February 14: Speaking at the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) on Saturday, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a firm defense of New Delhi’s "strategic autonomy," emphasizing that the nation will continue to prioritize its own energy security despite shifting global geopolitical pressures. Addressing a panel of world leaders, Jaishankar dismissed criticisms regarding India's diverse procurement strategy, framing it as a pragmatic necessity for a developing economy. EAM S Jaishankar Meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington.
"We will continue to make independent decisions that might not align with the views of some other countries," Jaishankar stated, responding to queries about India’s continued energy ties with Russia amid heightened Western sanctions. He argued that maintaining multiple options is a sign of diplomatic "smartness" rather than a lack of commitment to global stability. The Minister underscored that India's primary duty remains ensuring affordable and reliable energy for its 1.4 billion citizens. Donald Trump Speaks With PM Narendra Modi Over Phone Ahead of EAM S Jaishankar’s US Visit.
'Smart Enough to Have Options'
The remarks come at a time when Western nations have intensified scrutiny on India’s "non-Western but not anti-Western" stance. Jaishankar countered this by highlighting the "double standards" in global discourse, noting that India’s energy purchases are a fraction of what other regions consume. By reaffirming India’s role as a "democracy that delivers," he signaled that New Delhi intends to act as a bridge between the Global South and the West, without being coerced into exclusive alliances.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 14, 2026 09:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).