Former J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah was referring to US moves to influence India’s way of voting on the civilian nuclear deal. File | Photo credit: PTI
President of the National Conference (NC) Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Saturday (March 07, 2026) expressed dismay at the Centre’s foreign policy and the US announcing an “exception” to India for importing Russian oil.
“India is a sovereign country. Our country does not need anyone’s dictate or permission (to buy oil from Russia). No foreign capital should dictate New Delhi,” Abdullah said.
He was commenting on the US announcement of a thirty-day exception to India’s import of Russian oil as a result of the current crisis in the Middle East.
Mr. Abdullah recalled the approach of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on “strategic autonomy” and said, “Dr. Singh would talk about India deciding for itself. India will decide what is good for it.”
Mr Abdullah was referring to US moves to influence India’s voting pattern on the civilian nuclear deal.
“The tragedy is that I don’t know why they (Centre) are making us dependent. It is a matter of independence of this country. This country has to decide what is good for it. No one else should decide our future,” Abdullah said.
Published – 07 March 2026 21:29 IST
