India Rejects Pressure Over US Russia Sanctions
India has reaffirmed that its foreign and energy policies will be guided by national interest after US President Donald Trump signed a sweeping Russia sanctions law that could expose major buyers of Russian oil and gas to tariffs of up to 100%.
India Says It Will Not Operate Under Pressure
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said India would continue to pursue an independent foreign policy and would not take decisions under pressure from any country.
Singh said the welfare of India’s population remained the government’s highest priority and that New Delhi would take whatever steps were necessary to protect the country’s economic stability and national interests.
His comments follow an earlier government statement stressing that India remains firmly committed to ensuring affordable and reliable energy supplies for its 1.4 billion people.
Trump Russia Sanctions Law Raises Tariff Risk
Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on September 19 after it cleared both chambers of the US Congress.
The legislation gives Washington broad powers to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas and countries involved in sanctions evasion.
India is among the world’s largest buyers of Russian crude, making it potentially vulnerable to the new provisions. However, the law does not mean that a 100% tariff has automatically been imposed on Indian goods.
India Defends Energy Security Policy
New Delhi has consistently maintained that its oil purchases are based on market conditions, affordability and national energy requirements.
India has also warned that punitive trade measures against major energy importers could affect India-US relations and disrupt global energy markets.
The issue comes as India and the United States continue negotiations over wider trade and economic ties.
