India has said it will continue to take decisions based on its national interests after US President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, a law that expands sanctions against Russia and Iran and gives the US President authority to impose additional tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and gas.
Responding to questions about the possible impact of the new US law on India, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said the government would prioritise the interests of the Indian people.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Issue/Event: Trump signs the Russia and Iran sanctions law.
Location: Washington, United States; New Delhi, India.
Authority/Organisation: US administration and India's Ministry of External Affairs.
Action Taken: India reaffirmed its independent foreign policy and commercially driven energy-sourcing approach.
Impact: The new US law creates the possibility of additional tariffs on major buyers of Russian energy, with potential implications for India–US trade and energy planning.
Singh said India maintains an independent foreign policy and does not base its decisions on the dictates of other countries. He also said India would continue to take measures aimed at protecting the country's strength and stability.
On the energy question, Singh said energy remains a primary concern for India and that the country would source supplies from wherever commercially viable and economical options are available. He also reiterated India's position that the tariffs being imposed by the United States are unfair.
The statement came after Trump signed the sanctions legislation on September 18. The law targets Russia's leadership, energy sector, defence industry and networks involved in helping Moscow evade sanctions. It also extends existing sanctions on Iran.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The development could have implications for both India–US trade relations and India's energy strategy if the tariff provisions are implemented against major Russian energy buyers. Any significant change in the cost or availability of Russian crude could also affect global oil markets and India's import planning. At the same time, the final impact on India will depend on how the US administration implements the law and whether any exemptions or waivers are applied.
A key provision of the legislation gives the US President authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas, subject to the conditions and implementation provisions contained in the law. India and China are among the major buyers of Russian crude and could therefore face significant trade implications if the tariff provisions are applied to them.
However, the legislation does not automatically impose a 100% tariff on India. The law provides the US President with substantial discretion over implementation, including decisions concerning affected countries, tariff rates and possible waivers.
The development comes at a sensitive stage in India–US economic relations, with bilateral trade discussions continuing alongside wider uncertainty in global energy markets.
