The United States has addressed India’s apprehensions regarding the proposed Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, acknowledging that it could impact the bilateral relationship between the two nations. The legislation, which aims to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the largest purchasers of Russian energy, poses a potential challenge for India, a significant buyer of Russian oil.
A senior official from the US State Department conveyed understanding of India’s position, especially following public criticism from several US lawmakers over New Delhi’s energy transactions with Russia. Despite this discord, the American official emphasized that there were “no hard feelings” towards India’s stance on the matter.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has expressed concerns that the sanctions could have broader implications, affecting not only the US-India dynamic but also global energy markets. New Delhi has consistently communicated these concerns to US representatives, highlighting the risks to its energy security.
The Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act includes a national security waiver provision, granting the US president the authority to exempt certain countries from the sanctions under specific conditions. While it is unclear if India will receive such a waiver, the US official noted that the option remains available based on national security considerations.
This issue was a topic of discussion during a meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The US has shown a willingness to support countries like India in diversifying their energy sources, acknowledging the significant energy demands India faces. Furthermore, the US official highlighted the ongoing cooperation between the two countries through platforms such as the Quad, with Secretary Rubio scheduled to visit India in October.