India has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people after the US Congress passed the Russia sanctions bill, providing for tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods from major buyers of Russian energy. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry also highlighted the potential trade and economic risks arising from the legislation that also targets Russia's leadership and the "shadow fleet" of vessels that enable Moscow to evade sanctions on oil deliveries.
India is currently Russia's top buyer of seaborne crude, and the new legislation empowers the US president to impose unprecedented duties as penalties. However, Indian refiners have already been leaning on the US, Brazil, Canada, Venezuela, and Africa for additional and more varied supplies to diversify their purchases.
What India Said
The ministry said that New Delhi has noted the passage of the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act 2026 in the US Congress and is monitoring further developments on this matter.
"As stated on several earlier occasions, India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people. It will continue to do so through diversified sourcing and on the basis of evolving market dynamics," the statement read.
The ministry said the issue of India's oil trade with Russia has been discussed at high levels in recent months with various US interlocutors.
"Its potential implications for not just the bilateral relationship but also the international energy market have been very clearly articulated by the Indian side," it said.
New Delhi asserted that the Indian side has made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests, and the government will work closely with Indian trade and industry bodies to deal with the implications of these developments.
About the Bill
The Lindsay O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, passed by the US Senate last month, was approved by the House in a 262-159 vote on Wednesday and will now go to Trump to be signed into law. The package seeks to reduce the financial resources sustaining Russia's war against Ukraine. It targets Russian officials, banks, energy interests, and foreign entities supporting Moscow's military operations.
It authorises Trump to impose stiff tariffs, up to 100 per cent, on China, India, and other countries to cut their dependence on Russian oil and gas.
According to the House Ways and Means Committee, the bill directs tariffs of up to 500 per cent on Russian goods. It also provides for duties of up to 100 per cent on goods from countries covered by its Russian oil and gas purchase provisions.
Those provisions cover major Russian energy importers and leading facilitators of oil sanctions evasion. The committee said additional countries could be added following reviews by the US Trade Representative every 180 days.
However, the actual impact of new tariffs on Indian exports can be assessed only after the US announces the tariff rates, product coverage, and implementation timetable.
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