The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday, September 17, 2026, that it has noted the passage of the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act in the U.S. Congress and is monitoring further developments.
The bill, passed by the House, authorises the U.S. President to impose tariffs of up to 100% on India and other countries that purchase oil and gas from Russia. It will now be sent to President Donald Trump for signature and could result in significant U.S. tariffs on India.
In a statement, the MEA said it had raised the issue with various U.S. interlocutors and that the potential implications for the bilateral relationship and the international energy market have been clearly articulated by the Indian side. The Ministry reiterated India’s commitment to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people through diversified sourcing and evolving market dynamics.
The bill targets the top five importers of Russian crude or natural gas in the 12 months before enactment, provided they have made new purchases after 30 days from the law’s effective date. Countries that have significantly reduced Russian gas imports or whose imports were less than 15% of Russia’s total exports would be exempt. India’s import of Russian oil peaked in April, after a 38‑month low in December 2025, and the U.S. Treasury had paused sanctions on shipments in transit before March 11, 2026. The amendment will now go to President Trump’s desk for signature.
