The United States has acknowledged India’s concerns regarding the potential impact of the proposed Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act on their bilateral relations. Despite this, a senior US State Department official emphasized that there are “no hard feelings” over India’s response to the legislation, which could impose tariffs of up to 100% on major purchasers of Russian energy.
India, as a significant buyer of Russian oil, has voiced apprehensions through its Ministry of External Affairs, highlighting that the legislation could have repercussions on both the India-US relationship and global energy markets. The US official recognized India’s perspective, especially after some US lawmakers criticized New Delhi for its energy dealings with Moscow.
The proposed legislation includes a broad national security waiver that would allow the US president to exempt certain countries from specific measures based on national security considerations. While the official did not confirm if India would be granted such a waiver, the possibility remains open depending on the circumstances.
Discussions around this issue were also part of a meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The US has signaled its willingness to support nations like India in diversifying their energy supplies, acknowledging India’s substantial energy needs.
Furthermore, the US official highlighted ongoing cooperation between the two nations through platforms such as the Quad, and noted that Secretary Rubio is planning a visit to India in October, reinforcing the continued diplomatic engagement between the two countries.