India on Thursday cautioned the United States that new tariff measures targeting countries purchasing Russian oil could affect bilateral relations, hours after the US Congress approved a bill granting President Donald Trump authority to impose such penalties.
The legislation, which has been sent to Trump for signature, aims to increase economic pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. It targets Russia’s energy and defence sectors, President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials, as well as the so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to evade Western sanctions.
The bill also authorises tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries, including India, to reduce their reliance on Russian oil and gas, and extends sanctions on Iran.
India’s foreign ministry said it “remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people.”
The ministry noted the bill’s passage and stated that New Delhi had raised the issue with various US interlocutors in recent months, having “very clearly articulated” the potential implications for the bilateral relationship and the international energy market.
“The Indian side has also made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests,” the statement said.
The government would work closely with trade and industry bodies to address the legislation’s implications, it added.
India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, is among the biggest buyers of Russian crude, which has helped Moscow replenish its budget since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. New Delhi has consistently resisted pressure to cut the trade, citing the need for secure, affordable and reliable energy supplies for its large population and economy.
