New Delhi, July 18 -- India has firmly rejected warnings from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte regarding potential secondary sanctions on countries maintaining trade relations with Russia, emphasising its commitment to energy security and cautioning against global policy inconsistencies.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded to Rutte's comments by stating that India is monitoring developments closely while prioritising the energy needs of its population.

"Securing energy needs of our people is understandably an overriding priority for us," Jaiswal said, adding that India's approach is guided by market availability and prevailing global circumstances.

He specifically cautioned against the implementation of do...