National Conference (NC) president Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Saturday (March 7, 2026) expressed dismay over the Centre’s foreign policy and the U.S. announcing a “waiver” to India for importing Russian oil.

“India is a sovereign country. Our country does not need anyone’s dictation or permission (to buy oil from Russia). No foreign capital should dictate New Delhi,” Mr. Abdullah said.

He was commenting on the U.S. announcement of a 30-day waiver to India on Russian oil imports in the wake of the current crisis in the Middle East.

Recalling the approach of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on “strategic autonomy”, Mr. Abdullah said, “Dr. Singh would talk about India making its own decision. India will decide what is good for it.”

Mr. Abdullah was referring to the U.S. moves to influence India’s voting pattern on the civil nuclear deal. 

“The tragedy is that I don’t know why they [the Centre] are making us dependent. It is a question of the independence of this country. This country has to decide what is good for it. Nobody else should decide our future,” Mr. Abdullah said.