India is tracking a US Russia sanctions bill that could affect its oil imports, ahead of the legislation’s expected signing.
The Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 authorizes tariffs of up to 100% on nations buying Russian oil and gas.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it is closely monitoring the situation and remains committed to energy security for its population.
New Delhi has expressed concern over the bill’s potential impact on bilateral ties and global energy markets.
China has also opposed the bill, terming it ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ and unilateral sanctions without international legal grounding.
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.
The bill does not automatically impose these tariffs on India, but it increases pressure on New Delhi’s energy sourcing decisions going forward.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said it is closely monitoring the situation and remains committed to ensuring energy security for its population of 1.4 billion people.
Jamnagar Refinery, India (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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