The United States has acknowledged India’s apprehensions regarding the potential impact of the proposed Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which could impose tariffs of up to 100% on major purchasers of Russian energy, including India. Despite India’s concerns about the implications of this legislation on bilateral ties and global energy markets, a senior US State Department official expressed that there were “no hard feelings” over New Delhi’s response.
India, a significant buyer of Russian oil, has previously communicated its worries about the effect of additional sanctions on its energy security to US officials. The proposed legislation includes a national security waiver that could allow the US president to exempt certain countries from specific measures based on national security considerations. However, the US official did not confirm whether India would be granted such a waiver, noting that it would depend on the circumstances.
The matter was further discussed during a meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Washington indicated potential support for countries, like India, seeking to diversify their energy supplies as they face significant energy demands.
The US official also emphasized the ongoing cooperation between the United States and India through various platforms, including the Quad. Additionally, Rubio has planned a visit to India in October, indicating continued diplomatic engagement between the two nations.