The US signed a Russia sanctions law on September 18.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded that it will protect its trade and economic interests.
The law allows tariffs on the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas.
It leaves the decision to the President.
India says it is committed to energy security.
It said India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people through diversified sourcing and evolving market dynamics.
The ministry said India has made clear its determination to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests.
It added that the government will work closely with Indian trade and industry bodies to deal with the implications.
China has also opposed the law, calling it unilateral sanctions with no basis in international law.
Brent crude has been trading above 100 dollars a barrel in recent weeks, and markets remain sensitive to sanctions-related news.
President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law on Friday, September 18, 2026.
The law authorises tariffs of up to 100 percent on imports from the five largest purchasers of Russian crude oil and gas.
The list of the five largest purchasers is to be reassessed every 180 days.
The law does not automatically impose tariffs on India, and it leaves the decision on whether and at what rate to apply them to the President.
India is among the countries that could fall within the law’s scope because of its substantial purchases of Russian energy.
India imported about 2.08 million barrels per day of Russian crude in August 2026, around 45 percent of its total imports.
In July 2026, Russian crude accounted for about 2.82 million barrels per day, or 56 percent of India’s imports.
India is the world’s third-largest consumer of crude oil.
Essar Oil refinery, India (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
