Shimla, Oct. 18 -- Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Anand Sharma on Sunday said India-US strategic ties must be based on mutual respect and recognition of India's sovereignty, asserting that New Delhi cannot be dictated to on its trade and energy decisions, including purchases of oil and gas from Russia.

Speaking with ANI in Shimla, Sharma said India and the United States had invested substantially in their strategic partnership, but Washington must remain sensitive to India's interests and independent foreign policy choices.

"We have a strategic partnership with the United States, as with many other countries. Now it is for the US also to remain sensitive to India's own situation and needs," he said.

Sharma's remarks c...