By India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded today to a US Russia sanctions bill that could impact its oil imports.
The Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 gives the US President authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on buyers of Russian oil and gas.
India said it is closely monitoring the situation and remains committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion population.
New Delhi has flagged concern over the bill’s potential effect on bilateral ties and global energy markets.
China has also opposed the bill, rejecting it as ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ and unilateral sanctions without basis in international law.
India has expressed concern that the legislation’s impact could affect bilateral ties between New Delhi and Washington, alongside global energy markets more broadly.
China has also opposed the sanctions bill, with its Foreign Ministry rejecting what it called ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ and unilateral sanctions lacking a basis in international law.
India has significantly increased its imports of discounted Russian crude oil since 2022, making it one of the largest buyers of Russian oil globally.
Indian refiners have cited cost savings from discounted Russian crude as a key factor supporting the country’s energy affordability in recent years.
The US has previously raised concerns over India’s Russian oil purchases, with earlier rounds of tariff threats and penalties discussed in prior years.
Energy security has remained a consistent priority in India’s foreign policy, with the government emphasizing diversified sourcing to manage price volatility.
Global oil markets remain sensitive to geopolitical developments of this kind, with sanctions-related uncertainty often influencing crude price movements.
Indian officials have historically maintained that energy purchasing decisions are driven by national interest and affordability considerations for its population.
The legislation, known as the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, gives the US President authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil and gas.
Jamnagar Refinery, India (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
