politics
February 20, 2026
Fyodor Lukyanov: Why India won’t take orders from Washington
Sovereignty doesn’t mean obedience, and New Delhi knows it
TL;DR
- India and the US had a sharp exchange at the Munich Security Conference regarding India's oil purchases from Russia.
- Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar stated that India would make its own decisions, which might not always be agreeable to others.
- The US is attempting to integrate India into a US-centric framework to maximize American advantage.
- India's decision-making is influenced by its economic needs, strategic dependencies, and regional rivalries, particularly with China.
- India's understanding of sovereignty involves flexibility and balancing interests under challenging conditions, prioritizing internal stability and development.
- Russia also observes India's maneuvering with unease, viewing it through its own rigid conception of sovereignty.
- The article suggests that in a multipolar world, states prioritize their own interests and internal cohesion, a practical reality that often trumps abstract principles.
- Acting in one's own interest is presented as normal state behavior, requiring a calm, unsentimental approach.