India Reaffirms Energy Security After US Passes Russia Sanctions Bill
India says it remains committed to energy security for its 1.4 billion people after the US House passed a bill allowing 100% tariffs on buyers of Russian oil.
India has reaffirmed its commitment to energy security after the United States House of Representatives passed legislation that could impose steep tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas.
The Ministry of External Affairs said New Delhi would continue to secure energy supplies through diversified sourcing guided by market conditions. It said the matter had been raised at high levels with US interlocutors in recent months, and that India had clearly conveyed the possible consequences for both the bilateral relationship and the international energy market.
The ministry also said India is prepared to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests, and will work closely with domestic trade and industry bodies to address the implications of the developments. It added that it is monitoring the situation.
The bill, passed by the House on Wednesday, grants the US President discretionary authority to levy tariffs of up to 100% on major foreign buyers of Russian crude and natural gas. It also provides for targeted sanctions on vessels, logistics entities and maritime operators involved in transporting discounted Russian oil, as well as penalties on senior Russian officials, state institutions, banks and energy enterprises. The measure, which US President Donald Trump has described as aimed at cutting off funding sources for Russia, now awaits his signature.
India and China are the largest buyers of Russian crude and coal. Data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air shows India's Russian crude imports hit a record high in June 2026, rising 34% month-on-month to EUR 4.5 billion. Crude accounted for 83% of India's EUR 5.5 billion in Russian fossil fuel purchases that month, followed by oil products at EUR 488 million and coal at EUR 444 million.
India took 36% of Russia's crude exports, ranking second after China at 50%. In coal, China accounted for 37% of Russian exports between December 2022 and June 2026, while India accounted for 19%. India was also the seventh-largest importer of Russian LNG as of end-June 2026.