India vows to protect its interests as US prepares 100% tariffs for countries importing Russian oil
The US house of representatives on Wednesday passed a major sanctions and tariff bill to intensify economic pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, allowing the Donald Trump administration to impose strict tariffs of up to 100 per cent on nations like India.
This is done to reduce the dependence of India and other buyers on Russian oil, as well as to extend sanctions on Iran. The bill is awaiting Mr Trump’s signature after which it will be signed into a law.
India has vowed to remain committed to ensuring its energy security after US lawmakers approved the legislation that heavily penalises buyers of Russian oil and gas.
Since the war in Ukraine began in 2022, India, the world’s third-biggest oil importer, has sharply increased its imports of discounted Russian oil – nearly doubling and tripling its purchase of energy resources – despite international condemnation.
China and India became Russia’s biggest customers for oil after Moscow’s full-out invasion of Ukraine, with India importing at least 88 per cent of Russia’s crude oil.
The purchase has impacted India’s ties with the US, and the two countries have bickered over Russian energy imports.
On Thursday, the Indian foreign ministry said it had noted the passage of the bill, adding that New Delhi had raised the issue with various US interlocutors in recent months, and had "very clearly articulated" the potential implications for the bilateral relationship and the international energy market.
“India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said the Indian government would work closely with trade and industry bodies to deal with the implications of the legislation.
It was introduced by late senator Lindsey Graham last year and the House cleared it by 262 to 150 as Democrats broke with party leaders to join all but seven Republicans in favour.
Termed as the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026", the legislation targets Russia's energy and defence industries, as well as its "shadow fleet" of tankers that evade existing sanctions, with a clear aim to deprive Moscow of funds used to pay for its war with Ukraine.
"China and India, you better buy your oil and gas somewhere else," said senator Richard Blumenthal after the passage of the bill.
The bill, however, exempts countries that import less than 15 per cent of Russia’s natural gas exports, likely benefitting European nations, arguing that the purchases are only a fraction of their total requirement and these countries were taking steps to reduce dependence on Moscow.
“These countries have a choice to make about whether they will continue to sustain (Vladimir) Putin’s aggression,” said Michael McCaul, a Republican lawmaker from Texas.
Last year, the top five importers of Russian natural gas were China, France, Japan Hungary and Belgium. But countries other than China would be exempt from the tariffs under the clause that spares those buying less than 15 per cent of Russian gas.
The five largest purchasers of Russian crude were China, India, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan.
