Patna: RJD working president, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, on Monday urged PM Narendra Modi to take a “clear and independent” stand on India’s energy security and other strategic issues, free from “external pressure”.“In matters of the country’s energy security and other important issues, our decisions should be free, independent and far-sighted. India’s policy should be defined in the interest of its people and never under any external pressure,” Tejashwi said.He added that amid rapidly changing global geopolitics, India must keep its national interest above everything else, he said.“PM, as the representative of 150 crore Indians, should make it clear that the country is a strong, independent and sovereign nation capable of taking its own decisions. It is not subject to ‘permission’ from anyone,” he said.Tejashwi’s remarks came in the backdrop of recent statements from the Trump administration in the United States indicating that India had been given “permission” to purchase crude oil from Russia for a limited period.His statement also comes amid developments in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, where opposition parties have moved adjournment motions seeking a discussion on India’s position in the backdrop of the Middle East conflict and the emerging global oil supply concerns.With fears that the ongoing conflict could prolong and disrupt global oil supplies further, several countries, including India, have begun assessing their available petroleum reserves.
