The United States has responded to India’s concerns over a proposed sanctions law targeting Russia, stating there are “no hard feelings” over New Delhi’s response. The Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which could impose tariffs of up to 100% on the largest purchasers of Russian energy, has raised alarms in India, one of the major buyers of Russian oil.
A senior US State Department official acknowledged India’s position, explaining that Washington understands New Delhi’s need to address the legislation, especially following criticism from some US lawmakers regarding India’s energy purchases from Russia. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has expressed that the sanctions could impact both the bilateral relationship with the US and the global energy markets. Concerns have been repeatedly conveyed to US officials about the potential effect on India’s energy security.
The legislation includes a national security waiver that could allow the US president to exempt countries from certain measures under specific circumstances. While the US official did not confirm whether India would receive such a waiver, it was noted that the provision could be applied based on national security considerations.
This issue was also a topic of discussion during a meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The US has indicated support for countries like India in diversifying their energy supplies amidst significant energy needs. Additionally, ongoing cooperation through platforms like the Quad was highlighted, with Rubio’s planned visit to India in October underscoring the continued dialogue between the two nations.
