NEW DELHI — Hours after the United States Congress cleared a stringent sanctions bill targeting Russian energy exports, the Indian government warned on Thursday that it had repeatedly raised the potential fallout on bilateral relations with Washington and declared its resolve to take every necessary step to defend its commercial and economic interests.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that senior officials had held high-level discussions with American interlocutors in recent months, directly articulating the serious repercussions the measure could have on both India–US ties and global energy markets. Emphasizing that national energy security remains paramount, the ministry reiterated that supplying power and fuel to India’s 1.4 billion citizens will continue to dictate import strategies through diversified procurement and evolving market realities.
The firm diplomatic response follows the passage of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which the US House of Representatives approved 262–159 on Wednesday after clearing the Senate with an 86–11 majority last month. The legislation now heads to President Donald Trump for enactment. Designed to starve Moscow of revenue for its military operations in Ukraine, the bill expands penalties against Russian financial institutions, state officials, and shadow fleet tankers, while extending sanctions on Iran.
The most contentious element for New Delhi grants the executive branch discretionary authority to impose secondary tariffs reaching up to 100 per cent on goods from major purchasers of Russian crude oil and natural gas. Because India and China rank as the primary international consumers of Russian seaborne petroleum, both nations face severe statutory exposure under the provision.
Indian authorities highlighted that the bill does not automatically trigger 100 per cent punitive tariffs on Indian goods, but rather establishes executive authority should specific criteria be invoked. The ministry stated that the government remains determined to protect domestic economic interests and will coordinate closely with domestic trade and industry organizations to manage any trade disruptions while actively tracking the progress of the legislation.
