New Delhi has reaffirmed its commitment to securing energy supplies for its 1.4 billion citizens, asserting that it will maintain diversified oil sourcing despite new United States legislation threatening punitive tariffs. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement Thursday emphasizing that the nation would continue to purchase energy based on evolving market dynamics.
The response followed the US House of Representatives passing a sanctions bill aimed at curbing Russia’s energy and defense sectors. The legislation, now pending President Donald Trump’s signature, authorizes tariffs of up to 100% on nations that persist in purchasing Russian oil and gas. Beijing and New Delhi are anticipated to be the primary targets of these secondary sanctions, which also aim to restrict Moscow’s “shadow fleet” of aging tankers used to bypass existing restrictions.
In its official statement, India noted that it had recently raised concerns with US officials regarding the bill’s potential impact on both bilateral relations and the broader international energy market. The ministry declared its determination to take all necessary measures to safeguard its trade and economic interests, promising to collaborate with industry bodies to assess the legislation’s implications.
As the world’s third-largest oil importer, India relies heavily on Russian supplies, which have become a cornerstone of its energy strategy and a key element of its longstanding strategic partnership with Moscow. New Delhi has consistently defended this relationship against external pressure to reduce dependence.
Beyond the energy dispute, the Indian Foreign Ministry addressed unrelated rumors following the BRICS summit in New Delhi, denying reports that several foreign leaders had fallen ill during their visit. Separately, the Indian Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government regarding the denial of disability pensions to veterans, ruling in favor of the disabled soldiers.
Will these tariffs actually work, or will countries just find more creative ways to hide their shipments through the shadow fleet?
It is impressive that New Delhi remains firm despite US pressure. Strategic autonomy must be preserved at all costs.
A 100% tariff is an economic nuclear option. This will only spike global prices and hurt consumers everywhere, including in the US.
India cannot simply stop buying cheap Russian oil. Our economy depends on affordable energy for billions of people.