New Delhi, Sept 17 (NVI) Hours after the US House of Representatives passed a bill that provides for 100% tariffs if India buys Russian oil, the Government here said it will “continue” to ensure energy security of its people “through diversified sourcing and on the basis of evolving market dynamics”.
In a statement, External Affairs Ministry said the issue of India’s oil trade with Russia has been discussed at high levels in recent months with various US interlocutors.
“Its potential implications for not just the bilateral relationship but also the international energy market have been very clearly articulated by the Indian side,” it said.
India is currently Russia’s top buyers of seaborne crude, and the new legislation empowers the US president to impose unprecedented duties as penalties.
However, Indian refiners have already been leaning on the US, Brazil, Canada, Venezuela, and Africa for additional and more varied supplies to diversify their purchases.
The Indian reaction came hours after the US House of Representatives passed the Lindsay O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 Bill with 262-159 vote.
The proposed legislation was passed by the US Senate last month and will now go to President Donald Trump to be signed into law.
The package seeks to reduce the financial resources sustaining Russia’s war against Ukraine.
It targets Russian officials, banks, energy interests, and foreign entities supporting Moscow’s military operations.
It authorises Trump to impose tariffs up to 100 per cent, on China, India, and other countries to cut their dependence on Russian oil and gas. (NVI)
