Shashi Tharoor Says India Will Not Surrender Its Strategic Autonomy

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has spoken about India’s strategic autonomy amid renewed tensions between New Delhi and Washington. Tharoor said India’s experience of colonial rule has made the country particularly conscious of maintaining its ability to make independent foreign-policy decisions. He argued that India’s national interests should remain central to its diplomatic and economic choices.

Tharoor’s remarks come at a time when India is facing pressure from the United States over its purchases of Russian crude oil. Recent U.S. legislation gives the administration authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil, while Indian officials have said they are examining the implications and emphasised energy security. India and the U.S. have also continued trade negotiations, showing that the two countries are managing economic cooperation alongside disagreements over energy and trade policy.