New Delhi: The United States has sought to ease concerns over India’s reaction to a new law that gives President Donald Trump the power to impose tariffs
of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil and gas.
A senior US State Department official said Washington understood India’s response to the legislation and said there were “no sort of hard feelings” over New Delhi raising concerns about its possible impact on bilateral ties.
The comments came after Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law on September 18. The legislation gives the US president authority to impose tariffs on goods from countries that are among the biggest buyers of Russian energy. India and China are among the countries that could potentially face such measures.
US highlights flexibility under sanctions law
The official stressed that the legislation does not automatically mean a 100% tariff will be imposed on India. The law gives Trump powers that can be used depending on the circumstances.
The legislation also includes a national security waiver, giving the US president the option to waive the measures in certain situations. Whether India would receive such a waiver has not been specified.
New Delhi had earlier conveyed its concerns to Washington, saying the possible impact of the legislation on India-US relations and international energy markets had been raised with American officials.
Jaishankar and Rubio discuss energy concerns
The issue also came up during a meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. India reiterated its concerns about the new sanctions law during the talks.
The US official said Washington was looking to become a larger energy supplier to India, pointing to growing American hydrocarbon exports. He said India had been looking to diversify its energy sources for years because of its large energy requirements.
The official also referred to potential energy supplies from Venezuela and said discussions on diversification were already taking place between the two countries.
What new law means for India
The US House of Representatives passed the legislation 262-159 after the Senate approved it earlier by 86-11. The law does not impose an immediate 100% tariff on Indian goods. Instead, it gives the US administration the authority to introduce such measures under specified conditions.
For India, the legislation creates the possibility of future US trade action over its continued purchases of Russian energy. Recent data cited by Reuters showed India’s Russian oil imports fell in August and were expected to decline further in September while Russia remained its largest supplier.
