The United States has addressed India’s concerns regarding proposed sanctions on Russia, affirming that the legislation would not harm bilateral relations. The Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which could levy tariffs of up to 100% on major purchasers of Russian energy, poses potential implications for India, a significant buyer of Russian oil.

A senior US State Department official acknowledged India’s apprehensions, particularly following criticism from US lawmakers over India’s Russian energy purchases. The official emphasized that Washington understands India’s position and reiterated that there are “no hard feelings” over New Delhi’s response to the proposed legislation.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has expressed that the sanctions could impact both the India-US relationship and the broader global energy markets. The ministry has previously communicated concerns to US officials regarding the additional sanctions’ potential effects on India’s energy security.

The legislation includes a national security waiver that allows the US president to exempt countries from certain measures under specific circumstances. While it remains unclear if India would receive such a waiver, the US official noted that the provision could be applied based on national security considerations.

The issue was further discussed during a meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The US has indicated its willingness to support nations like India in diversifying their energy sources, acknowledging India’s significant energy needs.

Additionally, the US official highlighted ongoing cooperation between the two countries through platforms such as the Quad, underscoring the continued partnership. Secretary Rubio is also scheduled to visit India in October, further indicating the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two nations.