Jamnagar Refinery, India (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
India is closely watching a US Russia sanctions bill that could affect its oil imports, as the legislation nears the President’s signature.
The Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 would authorize tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it is monitoring the situation and remains committed to safeguarding energy security for its population.
The bill’s potential impact on India-US relations and global energy markets has drawn concern from New Delhi.
China has also pushed back against the legislation, describing it as unilateral ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ without grounding in international law.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said it is closely monitoring the situation and remains committed to ensuring energy security for its population of 1.4 billion people.
India has expressed concern that the legislation’s impact could affect bilateral ties between New Delhi and Washington, alongside global energy markets more broadly.
China has also opposed the sanctions bill, with its Foreign Ministry rejecting what it called ‘long-arm jurisdiction’ and unilateral sanctions lacking a basis in international law.
India has significantly increased its imports of discounted Russian crude oil since 2022, making it one of the largest buyers of Russian oil globally.
Indian refiners have cited cost savings from discounted Russian crude as a key factor supporting the country’s energy affordability in recent years.
The US has previously raised concerns over India’s Russian oil purchases, with earlier rounds of tariff threats and penalties discussed in prior years.
Energy security has remained a consistent priority in India’s foreign policy, with the government emphasizing diversified sourcing to manage price volatility.
Global oil markets remain sensitive to geopolitical developments of this kind, with sanctions-related uncertainty often influencing crude price movements.
Indian officials have historically maintained that energy purchasing decisions are driven by national interest and affordability considerations for its population.
Jamnagar Refinery, India (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
