'Like America First': Without Naming Russian Oil, Jaishankar Stresses 'India First' On Energy Needs In Rubio's Presence

In a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Sunday reaffirmed that India would secure its energy needs under its 'India first' policy and stressed the need to keep global energy markets free from artificial distortions, a statement widely seen as critical to the US' take on India's purchase of the Russian oil.

Jaishankar emphasised the need for the country to have large, dependable and cheap sources of energy. He said, "Where the energy issues are concerned... for our energy security, it's important we have multiple sources, large sources, dependable sources, cheap sources."

Jaishankar seemed to be explaining India's stand by drawing parallels with Trump's 'America First'.

"Where the United States is concerned, the Trump administration has been very forthright in putting forward its foreign policy outlook as America First. Now, where we are concerned, we have a view of India first," he said.

The EAM added, "There will be many areas where our national interests are in harmony, and we work together, which is why we have a strategic partnership. There could be some where they don't, in which case we have to manage those situations."

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"We will continue to diversify and maintain multiple sources of supply at the most reasonable cost because, at the end of the day, we have an obligation to our people to provide them with energy at affordable and accessible rates," the external affairs minister further said.

India's Russian crude purchase has become a flashpoint in the India-US relations late 2025 and early 2026 as Trump has imposed an additional tariff of 25 per cent on Indian imports on top of a 25 per cent punitive tariff imposed as part of US' measure across global imports.

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The 25 per cent tariff was later revoked in February 2026, with Trump claiming that India would cut Russian crude imports, a claim neither validated by New Delhi nor mentioned in the official terms of agreement.

Although the import of Russian oil did fell from the highest, during the period, it never ceased.