The United States has addressed India’s concerns over the potential impact of the proposed Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which could impose significant tariffs on countries heavily purchasing Russian energy. India, a major buyer of Russian oil, fears that the legislation might strain its bilateral relationship with the U.S. and disrupt global energy markets.
A senior official from the U.S. State Department acknowledged India’s apprehensions but emphasized there were “no hard feelings” in response to New Delhi’s stance on the matter. The official explained that Washington understands India’s position, especially after U.S. lawmakers criticized the country’s continued energy dealings with Russia.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs previously highlighted the possible repercussions of the sanctions on their energy security, urging U.S. officials to consider the broader implications. To address these concerns, the proposed law includes a national security waiver, potentially allowing the U.S. president to exempt certain countries from the sanctions under specific circumstances. However, it remains unclear if India will be granted such a waiver.
The issue was a key topic during a recent meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The discussions underscored Washington’s willingness to support nations like India in diversifying their energy sources, given India’s substantial energy needs.
Furthermore, the U.S. official highlighted the ongoing cooperation between the two countries through various platforms, such as the Quad, and mentioned Rubio’s forthcoming visit to India in October as a testament to the continued strength of U.S.-India relations.