India will take decisions according to its national interest and does not operate under pressure from any other nation, said MoS External Affairs Kirti
Vardhan Singh on Saturday. Responding to US President Donald Trump signing the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which authorises tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries meeting specified conditions related to purchases of Russian-origin crude oil or natural gas, he said that New Delhi will source it "from wherever we find commercially viable and economical options." "The people of India are the top priority for our government. We will take every measure that benefits our public. We will take decisive steps to ensure the strength and stability of our nation and its population. We maintain an independent foreign policy; we do not align ourselves with how other nations operate but rather act in the best interests of our own country, MoS MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh told ANI. He said that energy remains the primary concern for the government. "Energy is a primary concern for us; we will source energy for our country and our people from wherever we find commercially viable and economical options," he said. Singh said that New Delhi has maintained that unilateral tariffs being imposed are "unfair". "We do not operate under pressure from any other nation," he added.
#WATCH | Lucknow, UP: Responding to a question on the Russian Sanctions Bill and its possible impact on India, MoS MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh says, "The people of India are the top priority for our government. We will take every measure that benefits our public. We will take… pic.twitter.com/AeyRNdwnYP
— ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2026
Trump has signed the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which seeks to impose steep levies on Moscow and its top energy buyers such as China and India. The legislation, formally known as the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026".
The Act authorises tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods from countries that meet specified conditions related to purchases of Russian-origin crude oil or natural gas.
The Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act has raised concerns in India because New Delhi is among the major purchasers of Russian crude.
The government has said it is monitoring developments and remains committed to ensuring energy security and protecting India's trade and economic interests.
