S Jaishankar Defends India's Strategic Autonomy: "No Country Has Veto On Our Ties"

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has emphatically defended India's autonomy in selecting its global partnerships, stating that the relationship between New Delhi and Moscow has remained one of the most robust and consistent in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.

"No country should expect to have veto power over how we develop our relationships with others. Such expectations are unreasonable, and others could demand the same," he remarked during his conversation with NDTV's CEO and Editor-In-Chief Rahul Kanwal at this morning's HT Leadership Summit.

Jaishankar emphasized that India has always maintained multiple international relationships, highlighting the importance of establishing partnerships with diverse global players. "Our freedom of choice is essential. We operate with what we call strategic autonomy, and that principle continues. I see no reason why anyone would expect otherwise," he stated.

Addressing Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to India, Jaishankar described it as an opportunity to reimagine bilateral relations. When questioned about whether this high-profile visit complicates India's relationship with the United States, he cautioned against relying on Western media for an objective assessment of Putin's visit.

The Foreign Minister stressed that India must maintain cooperative relationships with multiple international players while preserving its freedom of choice to strengthen its global position.

"Throughout the past 70-80 years, the world has experienced numerous geopolitical fluctuations, yet the India-Russia relationship has remained among the most stable major relationships globally. Russia's relations with China and Europe have fluctuated, as have our ties with other nations. The positive sentiment toward Russia is evident in popular opinion and street-level attitudes," he added.

Jaishankar forcefully asserted that India must prioritize its national interests, noting that diplomacy is not about pleasing external parties.

He confirmed that communication channels with the United States remain open and functional, expressing optimism that a trade agreement with Washington could materialize soon, though he cautioned about possible unexpected developments.

"We believe our respective trade interests can reach a mutually acceptable conclusion. These negotiations will be rigorous. For India, protecting the interests of our workers, farmers, and middle class is paramount. When evaluating trade agreements with the US, we must proceed with extreme caution," Jaishankar concluded.