The United States has addressed India’s concerns regarding the potential impact of the proposed Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which could impose significant tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy. As one of the major buyers of Russian oil, India fears that this legislation might strain its bilateral relations with the U.S. and affect global energy markets. Despite these apprehensions, a senior official from the U.S. State Department emphasized that there are “no hard feelings” toward India over its response to the proposed law.
The legislation, which aims to sanction major purchasers of Russian energy, includes a provision for a broad national security waiver. This waiver would grant the U.S. president the authority to exempt certain countries from these measures, depending on national security considerations. Although it remains unclear if India will receive such an exemption, the possibility exists within the framework of the legislation.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has raised these concerns with U.S. officials, highlighting the potential implications for its energy security. The issue was also a topic of discussion during a meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. During these discussions, the U.S. signaled its support for countries, including India, in their efforts to diversify energy supplies, acknowledging India’s substantial energy requirements.
Moreover, the U.S. official noted the ongoing cooperation between the two nations through platforms such as the Quad, an alliance that includes the United States, India, Japan, and Australia. The official also mentioned Secretary of State Rubio’s planned visit to India in October, indicating continued diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
