India on Friday signalled that it would not allow external pressure to dictate its energy purchases, asserting that national interest and the requirements of its 1.4 billion people would continue to determine where the country sources oil, amid the prospect of steep US tariffs on major buyers of Russian energy.
The Ministry of External Affairs’ reiteration of New Delhi’s position comes as India faces renewed pressure over Russian crude following the passage of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by the US Congress. The legislation, now awaiting President Donald Trump’s signature, gives the US administration the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods from countries that are among the largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas.
‘National interest guides us’
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s approach to energy sourcing remained anchored in its national priorities and the enormous energy requirements of the world’s most populous country.
“Our national interest guides our energy purchases, and the imperative for us to meet the energy requirements of 1.4 billion people is what guides us, and that will continue to be our policy,” Jaiswal said.
New Delhi has repeatedly maintained that affordability, availability and energy security determine its crude purchases and that India must retain flexibility to source supplies from different markets.
The government has also emphasised diversified sourcing as a central element of its energy strategy, particularly at a time when geopolitical conflicts have created considerable volatility in global oil and gas markets.
US tariff threat grows
India’s assertion assumes greater significance following the US Congress’ passage of legislation designed to intensify economic pressure on Russia over the Ukraine war.
The measure does not automatically impose a 100 per cent tariff on India. It instead empowers Trump to levy tariffs of up to that level on major purchasers of Russian energy, giving the White House considerable discretion over whether and how the provision is deployed.
India is potentially exposed because it remains one of the largest buyers of Russian crude, having substantially increased imports after the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict.
Russian oil became an important part of India’s crude basket after Moscow began redirecting supplies from Europe and offering barrels at competitive prices. Indian refiners have maintained that their purchases are commercial decisions made within the prevailing international sanctions framework.
India warns of fallout
New Delhi has already conveyed its concerns to Washington over the US legislation, saying its potential consequences extend beyond India’s bilateral relationship with the United States.
The MEA said India remains firmly committed to securing energy supplies for its population through diversified sourcing and in accordance with evolving market conditions.
It has also made clear to US interlocutors that measures targeting large buyers of Russian energy could have consequences for international energy markets.
India has said it will take necessary steps to protect its trade and economic interests if the legislation results in measures affecting Indian exports.
The prospect of tariffs as high as 100 per cent has raised concerns because the United States remains a major destination for Indian goods, while Washington and New Delhi have simultaneously been seeking to deepen economic and strategic ties.
Oil at heart of dispute
India has consistently rejected suggestions that individual countries’ commodity purchases can determine the course of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently argued that the conflict would not be resolved simply because individual countries bought or stopped buying commodities such as oil, minerals, metals or fertilisers.
Instead, he said, a resolution would have to emerge through dialogue, diplomacy and negotiation.
New Delhi has also argued that access to affordable energy cannot be separated from the developmental requirements of a country with 1.4 billion people.
The government’s position has been that abrupt disruption of established crude supplies could affect prices and energy security not merely in India but across international markets.
Pressure on New Delhi
The latest US legislation nevertheless creates a potentially powerful instrument for Washington to pressure countries maintaining substantial energy links with Moscow.
If Trump signs the measure and subsequently exercises its tariff powers against India, New Delhi could face the challenge of balancing access to competitively priced Russian crude against the interests of exporters dependent on the US market.
The legislation also provides flexibility to the US President, meaning the scale and timing of any tariff action would depend on decisions taken by the administration rather than following automatically from the President’s signature.
For now, New Delhi’s message remains unchanged: its energy policy will be determined by India’s requirements and national interest, even as the diplomatic and economic pressure surrounding purchases of Russian oil intensifies.